MP: TNI's Provisioning for LPDP Recipients Needs Re-evaluation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - T.B. Hasanuddin, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, stated that the provisioning for LPDP scholarship recipients by the TNI needs to be re-evaluated to ensure it does not conflict with legal provisions and does not disrupt the TNI’s professionalism as the state’s defence instrument.
The provisioning, according to Hasanuddin, includes materials on mental readiness, discipline, leadership, as well as instilling love for the homeland and character building.
“The involvement of the TNI in this context needs to be reviewed. We must ensure that every state institution operates according to its main duties and functions,” Hasanuddin said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
According to him, Law No. 3 of 2025 on amendments to the TNI Law clearly regulates the TNI’s duties, including within the framework of military operations other than war (OMSP), which encompasses 16 types of tasks.
However, he said there is no specific mandate regulating the TNI’s role as trainers in provisioning for scholarship recipients.
“In the list of OMSP tasks, there is nothing directly related to the role as an instructor in scholarship provisioning programmes. This is important to note to avoid expansion of roles outside the legal corridor,” he said.
In addition, Hasanuddin also warned government agencies not to involve the TNI outside its main duties because it could potentially affect the TNI’s focus, professionalism, and readiness.
If the TNI is increasingly involved in matters outside defence, he fears it will impact the consistency and commitment in carrying out its primary tasks.
The provisioning for LPDP scholarship recipients should be aligned with the main objectives of the programme, namely to produce superior human resources in academic and scientific fields, from enhancing academic capacity, research, to developing scientific competencies.
“There are many relevant alternative speakers, such as successful LPDP alumni who have direct experience,” he said.
Values such as discipline, leadership, and love for the homeland do not have to be always provided by the TNI, but can be instilled through various approaches that are more contextual to the world of education.
“We need to ensure that every programme runs on target, effectively, and remains within the framework of good governance,” said the retired Major General TNI.
Previously, the Indonesian Air Force provided training to prospective LPDP scholarship recipients at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, on Monday (4/5).
Head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, First Marshal TNI I Nyoman Suadnyana, said the training was conducted to strengthen the nationalism spirit, mentality, and discipline of LPDP scholarship recipients.