Head of LPDP Speaks Out About Funds to be Returned by AP After His Wife's Post Goes Viral

The Director of the LPDP, Sudarto, stated that they are still calculating the amount of scholarship funds that alumnus AP, whose wife’s social media post went viral, must return. “Regarding the funds to be returned, we are still calculating. We have the data and the calculations,” said Sudarto during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026.

Sudarto explained that AP’s study period took place from 2015–2016, and continued from 2017–2021. The LPDP is still calculating the value of the education funds, as well as the interest that has been allocated throughout AP’s study period. He added that they will later announce the amount of funds to be returned, given that this issue involves public interest.

Previously, the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, confirmed that alumnus AP would return all scholarship funds received to the state. “The head of LPDP has spoken with the alumnus in question. And he seems to have agreed to return the money taken from LPDP, including the interest,” said Purbaya during a press conference for the February 2026 edition of APBN KITA in Jakarta, Monday, February 23, 2026.

“If I were to put LPDP funds in a bank, there would be interest, so it’s fair,” he said. The Minister of Finance regretted the alumnus’s attitude, which he considered an insult to the country through his social media post. He emphasized that LPDP funds come from public taxes, as well as part of the state’s debt allocated for the development of human resources.

“That is money from taxes and part of the debt that we set aside to ensure that our human resources grow. But if it is used to insult the country, then we will ask for the money back with interest,” he said.