LPDP Responds to Viral Content: 'It's Enough That I'm Indonesian, My Children Shouldn't Be'

The Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) has issued a response regarding the polemic surrounding viral content posted by one of its alumni, who attracted widespread criticism for ‘successfully’ obtaining foreign passports for her children.

A woman operating the Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas created video content that went viral on social media, in which she expressed the sentiment that it was sufficient for her alone to hold Indonesian citizenship, whilst her children should not have to bear the same status.

The content sparked significant public backlash, with many questioning the values and national commitment of LPDP scholarship recipients who benefit from state funds derived from Indonesian taxpayers.

LPDP, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, manages one of Indonesia’s most prestigious scholarship programmes, funding postgraduate studies both domestically and abroad. Recipients are generally expected to return to Indonesia and contribute to national development upon completing their studies.

The institution acknowledged the controversy and addressed concerns about the conduct of its alumni, though the viral incident has reignited broader discussions about the accountability of state scholarship recipients and the effectiveness of existing requirements that bind graduates to serve the nation after completing their publicly funded education.