LPDP Scholarship Recipient Sparks Controversy with 'I'll Be the Only Indonesian Citizen, Not My Children' Remark
An alumni of the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) scholarship programme, identified by the initials DS, has sparked controversy with her remarks. She went viral and drew widespread condemnation for stating "it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be."
As compiled by detikcom on Sunday (22/2/2026), the viral video was uploaded by a woman using the Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas. In the video, she was seen opening a long-awaited parcel containing a letter from the UK Home Office.
The letter confirmed that her second child had officially become a British citizen. The woman also displayed the British passport that arrived alongside the letter.
"This parcel isn't just any parcel — it contains an extremely important document that will change 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 it's enough that I'm the Indonesian citizen — my children shouldn't be. We'll make sure the children have strong foreign passports," she said.
**LPDP's Response**
In an Instagram story shared on the @lpdp_ri account on Friday (20/2), the LPDP expressed regret over the controversy. The institution said DS's actions did not reflect the values of integrity it upholds.
"LPDP regrets the social media controversy triggered by the actions of one alumna, DS. These actions do not reflect the values of integrity, ethics and professionalism that LPDP instils in all scholarship recipients," the statement read.
The LPDP noted that DS's husband, also an LPDP scholarship recipient, is suspected of not having completed his service obligation. The couple now resides in the United Kingdom.
"Under the 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 said.
"In the case of DS, who undertook two years of study, the contribution obligation amounts to five years," it added.
The LPDP confirmed that DS no longer has any ties to 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 the regulations. Accordingly, LPDP no longer has any legal engagement with her," the statement said.
The LPDP said it would communicate with DS regarding the controversy, urging her to exercise greater discretion on social media.
"Nevertheless, LPDP will continue to endeavour to communicate with DS to advise her to be more prudent in her use of social media, to be mindful of public sensitivities, and to remind scholarship recipients of their national obligation to serve the country," it added.
**LPDP Summons DS's Husband**
Furthermore, the LPDP is investigating allegations that DS's husband, identified by the initials AP, has not completed his contribution obligations after finishing his studies. The LPDP has summoned AP, who still holds the status of an active scholarship recipient.
"LPDP is currently conducting an internal review of these allegations. LPDP is summoning AP for clarification and will proceed with enforcement action and sanctions, up to and including the full repayment of all scholarship funds, should it be proven that the obligation to contribute in Indonesia has not been fulfilled," the LPDP stated.
"LPDP is committed to enforcing regulations fairly, consistently and responsibly for all awardees and alumni, and to continuing to safeguard institutional integrity in delivering the greatest possible benefit for Indonesia," it said.
Under LPDP regulations, all awardees and alumni are required to serve a contribution period in Indonesia equivalent to twice the duration of their studies plus one year. In DS's case, having stated "it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be," she had already completed her master's degree and was declared to have graduated on 31 August 2017.
**Scholarship Recipient Apologises After Going Viral**
LPDP scholarship recipient DS, who sparked the controversy with her "it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be" statement, has issued an apology. The public apology was delivered via her Instagram account.
As seen by detikcom, the owner of the @sasetyaningtyas account posted a clarification and apology on Friday (20/2). She said the statement was born out of personal disappointment, though she acknowledged that her approach was misguided and inappropriate.
"I fully recognise that the statement was inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning the identity of Indonesian citizenship. To that end, I acknowledge my error in the choice of words and in expressing them in a public forum," she said.
"Whatever the emotional background behind it, the impact of that statement remains entirely my responsibility. Through this statement, I wish to convey my apologies to those who felt hurt and for the uproar that ensued," she continued.
In her full apology, she wrote:
"In connection with my previous post containing the statement 'it's enough that I'm the Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be,' I hereby offer an open apology to the entire public who felt hurt, offended or uncomfortable with that statement.
"The statement was born entirely from personal feelings of disappointment, exhaustion and frustration as an Indonesian citizen regarding various conditions I have experienced.
"However, I recognise that such disappointment should not have been expressed in a manner that could potentially wound the feelings of many people, particularly as it relates to our shared national identity.
"I fully recognise that the statement was inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning the identity of Indonesian citizenship.
"To that end, I acknowledge my error in the choice of words and in expressing them in a public forum.
"Whatever the emotional background behind it, the impact of that statement remains entirely my responsibility."
As compiled by detikcom on Sunday (22/2/2026), the viral video was uploaded by a woman using the Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas. In the video, she was seen opening a long-awaited parcel containing a letter from the UK Home Office.
The letter confirmed that her second child had officially become a British citizen. The woman also displayed the British passport that arrived alongside the letter.
"This parcel isn't just any parcel — it contains an extremely important document that will change 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 it's enough that I'm the Indonesian citizen — my children shouldn't be. We'll make sure the children have strong foreign passports," she said.
**LPDP's Response**
In an Instagram story shared on the @lpdp_ri account on Friday (20/2), the LPDP expressed regret over the controversy. The institution said DS's actions did not reflect the values of integrity it upholds.
"LPDP regrets the social media controversy triggered by the actions of one alumna, DS. These actions do not reflect the values of integrity, ethics and professionalism that LPDP instils in all scholarship recipients," the statement read.
The LPDP noted that DS's husband, also an LPDP scholarship recipient, is suspected of not having completed his service obligation. The couple now resides in the United Kingdom.
"Under the 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 said.
"In the case of DS, who undertook two years of study, the contribution obligation amounts to five years," it added.
The LPDP confirmed that DS no longer has any ties to 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 the regulations. Accordingly, LPDP no longer has any legal engagement with her," the statement said.
The LPDP said it would communicate with DS regarding the controversy, urging her to exercise greater discretion on social media.
"Nevertheless, LPDP will continue to endeavour to communicate with DS to advise her to be more prudent in her use of social media, to be mindful of public sensitivities, and to remind scholarship recipients of their national obligation to serve the country," it added.
**LPDP Summons DS's Husband**
Furthermore, the LPDP is investigating allegations that DS's husband, identified by the initials AP, has not completed his contribution obligations after finishing his studies. The LPDP has summoned AP, who still holds the status of an active scholarship recipient.
"LPDP is currently conducting an internal review of these allegations. LPDP is summoning AP for clarification and will proceed with enforcement action and sanctions, up to and including the full repayment of all scholarship funds, should it be proven that the obligation to contribute in Indonesia has not been fulfilled," the LPDP stated.
"LPDP is committed to enforcing regulations fairly, consistently and responsibly for all awardees and alumni, and to continuing to safeguard institutional integrity in delivering the greatest possible benefit for Indonesia," it said.
Under LPDP regulations, all awardees and alumni are required to serve a contribution period in Indonesia equivalent to twice the duration of their studies plus one year. In DS's case, having stated "it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be," she had already completed her master's degree and was declared to have graduated on 31 August 2017.
**Scholarship Recipient Apologises After Going Viral**
LPDP scholarship recipient DS, who sparked the controversy with her "it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be" statement, has issued an apology. The public apology was delivered via her Instagram account.
As seen by detikcom, the owner of the @sasetyaningtyas account posted a clarification and apology on Friday (20/2). She said the statement was born out of personal disappointment, though she acknowledged that her approach was misguided and inappropriate.
"I fully recognise that the statement was inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning the identity of Indonesian citizenship. To that end, I acknowledge my error in the choice of words and in expressing them in a public forum," she said.
"Whatever the emotional background behind it, the impact of that statement remains entirely my responsibility. Through this statement, I wish to convey my apologies to those who felt hurt and for the uproar that ensued," she continued.
In her full apology, she wrote:
"In connection with my previous post containing the statement 'it's enough that I'm the Indonesian citizen, my children shouldn't be,' I hereby offer an open apology to the entire public who felt hurt, offended or uncomfortable with that statement.
"The statement was born entirely from personal feelings of disappointment, exhaustion and frustration as an Indonesian citizen regarding various conditions I have experienced.
"However, I recognise that such disappointment should not have been expressed in a manner that could potentially wound the feelings of many people, particularly as it relates to our shared national identity.
"I fully recognise that the statement was inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning the identity of Indonesian citizenship.
"To that end, I acknowledge my error in the choice of words and in expressing them in a public forum.
"Whatever the emotional background behind it, the impact of that statement remains entirely my responsibility."