Misbakhun Proposes Exemption from Return Obligation for Certain LPDP Scholarship Recipients
Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission XI, Mukhammad Misbakhun, has proposed exempting certain Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship recipients from the obligation to return and serve in Indonesia after completing their studies.
He stated that not all academic disciplines have sufficient domestic industrial ecosystems, hence the government should allow Indonesian talents to develop globally.
“For fields that are highly advanced and non-existent in Indonesia, with no job opportunities or platforms for societal contribution, exemptions should be granted,” Misbakhun said during a hearing on the Ministry of Finance’s BLU 2025 performance report on Monday, 26 May 2026.
Misbakhun cited fields such as robotics, coding, and biomolecular sciences, which he said have very limited development opportunities and job prospects in Indonesia.
He added that Indonesian talents working abroad can be seen as contributing to global civilisation.
“Give them the opportunity to be part of progress elsewhere, and consider this as Indonesia’s contribution to human civilisation,” he said.
Nevertheless, Misbakhun supported LPDP’s efforts to strengthen nationalism among scholarship recipients, emphasising the importance of fostering national values.
“I support LPDP in collaborating with all parties, not just the military or police, to enhance ideology and nationalism,” he said.
In response, acting LPDP Director Yon Arsal explained that LPDP does not merely send students to study, but ensures their fields align with government strategic needs.
“We don’t just send people to study; we select disciplines that meet government requirements, ensuring graduates work in strategic sectors,” Yon Arsal said.
He added that LPDP aims to place alumni in sectors requiring their expertise.
This is achieved through co-funding partnerships with universities both domestically and internationally.
“Thus, scholarship recipients are directly placed in roles matching their expertise to strengthen domestic industries,” he said.