LPDP: Husband of Viral Scholarship Recipient Who Said 'I'll Be the Only Indonesian Citizen, Not My Children' Has Not Completed Service Obligation
The Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) has disclosed that the husband of a woman identified by her initials DS — the scholarship recipient who went viral for declaring "I'll be the only Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be" — has not completed his studies. The husband, identified as AP, is also an LPDP scholarship recipient.
The information was shared via an Instagram Story posted by the official @lpdp_ri account on Friday (20 February 2026). LPDP stated it would summon AP for questioning.
"Regarding the husband of DS, AP, who has also attracted public attention and is an LPDP alumnus, it is suspected that he has not fulfilled his contribution obligation following the completion of his studies," the post read.
"LPDP is currently conducting an internal review regarding this allegation. LPDP is in the process of summoning AP to request clarification," it added.
LPDP also confirmed it would impose sanctions on AP should his programme contribution obligations remain unfulfilled. The institution emphasised it would act fairly towards all scholarship recipients.
"LPDP will carry out enforcement proceedings and impose sanctions up to and including the full repayment of all scholarship funds if it is proven that the obligation to contribute in Indonesia has not been met," the statement said.
"LPDP is committed to enforcing regulations fairly, consistently, and responsibly towards all awardees and alumni, and to continuously safeguarding institutional integrity in delivering maximum benefit for Indonesia," it added.
The controversy stemmed from a viral video uploaded by a woman with the Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas. In the video, she was shown opening a long-awaited parcel containing a letter from the United Kingdom's Home Office.
The letter confirmed that the account holder's second child had officially become a British citizen. The woman also displayed the British passport that accompanied the letter.
"This isn't just any parcel — it contains an extremely important document that changes the fate and future of my children. Let's open it," she said.
"This is a letter from the UK Home Office confirming that my second child has been accepted as a British citizen," she continued.
She then stated that she would endeavour to secure foreign citizenship for her children.
"I know the world seems unfair, but I'll be the only Indonesian citizen — my children shouldn't be. We'll make sure the children have strong foreign passports," she said.
**LPDP Responds**
LPDP expressed regret over the controversy. The woman, identified as DS, was deemed to have failed to reflect the institution's values of integrity.
"LPDP regrets the social media controversy triggered by the actions of one alumna, DS. Her actions do not reflect the values of integrity, ethics, and professionalism that LPDP instils in all scholarship recipients," the statement read.
Meanwhile, her husband, who is also an LPDP awardee, is suspected of not having completed his contribution obligation. The couple are known to reside in the United Kingdom.
"In accordance with regulations, all LPDP awardees and alumni are required to serve a contribution period in Indonesia equivalent to twice the duration of their studies plus one year," the institution explained.
"In the case of DS, who undertook a two-year course of study, the contribution obligation amounts to five years," it added.
LPDP confirmed that DS no longer has any formal ties with the institution, having completed her studies in August 2017.
"DS completed her master's degree and was declared to have graduated on 31 August 2017, and has fulfilled her entire service period in accordance with regulations. Accordingly, LPDP no longer has any legal obligations with her," the statement said.
"Nevertheless, LPDP will continue to communicate with DS to urge her to exercise greater discretion in her use of social media, to be mindful of public sensitivities, and to remind her that LPDP scholarship recipients bear a national obligation to serve their country," it concluded.
The information was shared via an Instagram Story posted by the official @lpdp_ri account on Friday (20 February 2026). LPDP stated it would summon AP for questioning.
"Regarding the husband of DS, AP, who has also attracted public attention and is an LPDP alumnus, it is suspected that he has not fulfilled his contribution obligation following the completion of his studies," the post read.
"LPDP is currently conducting an internal review regarding this allegation. LPDP is in the process of summoning AP to request clarification," it added.
LPDP also confirmed it would impose sanctions on AP should his programme contribution obligations remain unfulfilled. The institution emphasised it would act fairly towards all scholarship recipients.
"LPDP will carry out enforcement proceedings and impose sanctions up to and including the full repayment of all scholarship funds if it is proven that the obligation to contribute in Indonesia has not been met," the statement said.
"LPDP is committed to enforcing regulations fairly, consistently, and responsibly towards all awardees and alumni, and to continuously safeguarding institutional integrity in delivering maximum benefit for Indonesia," it added.
The controversy stemmed from a viral video uploaded by a woman with the Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas. In the video, she was shown opening a long-awaited parcel containing a letter from the United Kingdom's Home Office.
The letter confirmed that the account holder's second child had officially become a British citizen. The woman also displayed the British passport that accompanied the letter.
"This isn't just any parcel — it contains an extremely important document that changes the fate and future of my children. Let's open it," she said.
"This is a letter from the UK Home Office confirming that my second child has been accepted as a British citizen," she continued.
She then stated that she would endeavour to secure foreign citizenship for her children.
"I know the world seems unfair, but I'll be the only Indonesian citizen — my children shouldn't be. We'll make sure the children have strong foreign passports," she said.
**LPDP Responds**
LPDP expressed regret over the controversy. The woman, identified as DS, was deemed to have failed to reflect the institution's values of integrity.
"LPDP regrets the social media controversy triggered by the actions of one alumna, DS. Her actions do not reflect the values of integrity, ethics, and professionalism that LPDP instils in all scholarship recipients," the statement read.
Meanwhile, her husband, who is also an LPDP awardee, is suspected of not having completed his contribution obligation. The couple are known to reside in the United Kingdom.
"In accordance with regulations, all LPDP awardees and alumni are required to serve a contribution period in Indonesia equivalent to twice the duration of their studies plus one year," the institution explained.
"In the case of DS, who undertook a two-year course of study, the contribution obligation amounts to five years," it added.
LPDP confirmed that DS no longer has any formal ties with the institution, having completed her studies in August 2017.
"DS completed her master's degree and was declared to have graduated on 31 August 2017, and has fulfilled her entire service period in accordance with regulations. Accordingly, LPDP no longer has any legal obligations with her," the statement said.
"Nevertheless, LPDP will continue to communicate with DS to urge her to exercise greater discretion in her use of social media, to be mindful of public sensitivities, and to remind her that LPDP scholarship recipients bear a national obligation to serve their country," it concluded.