PDI-P Legislator Requests Review of TNI's Involvement in LPDP Awardee Briefing

Member of the DPR’s Commission I from the PDI-P faction, Tb Hasanuddin, has highlighted the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), particularly the TNI Air Force, in the briefing programme for recipients of scholarships from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). Hasanuddin has called for the policy to be re-evaluated.

“The involvement of the TNI in this context needs to be reviewed. We must ensure that every state institution operates in accordance with its primary duties and functions,” said Tb Hasanuddin in his statement on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

Tb Hasanuddin explained that Law No. 3 of 2025 on the TNI clearly regulates the duties of the TNI, including within the framework of military operations other than war (OMSP), which encompasses 16 types of tasks. However, there is no specific mandate regulating the role of the TNI as instructors in the briefing for scholarship recipients.

“In the list of OMSP duties, there is nothing that directly relates to the role as educators in the scholarship briefing programme. This is important to address to prevent expansion of roles beyond the legal boundaries,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he reminded government agencies not to involve the TNI outside of its main duties. According to him, this could potentially affect the TNI’s focus, professionalism, and readiness in carrying out its primary functions.

“The more frequently the TNI is involved in matters outside of defence, the more it is feared that it will impact the consistency and commitment in carrying out its main tasks,” he said.

He also emphasised that the briefing for LPDP scholarship recipients should be aligned with the main objective of the programme, which is to produce superior human resources in academic and scientific fields.

“The briefing should focus on enhancing academic capacity, research, and the development of scientific competencies. There are many relevant alternative speakers, such as successful LPDP alumni who have direct experience,” he explained.

It is known that LPDP involves the TNI in the Pre-Departure Preparation (PK) activities for scholarship recipients. LPDP states that the pre-departure preparation activity is not new.

“LPDP continuously organises Pre-Departure Preparation (PK) as part of the initial training for scholarship recipients before commencing their studies. This PK activity has been conducted since the LPDP scholarship programme was launched and is an important part in ensuring the readiness of scholarship recipients, both academically and non-academically,” said the Head of the Legal and Communications Division of LPDP, M Lukmanul Hakim, when contacted on Monday (4/5).

He said that PK aims to equip scholarship recipients with character strengthening and national values. He hopes that the activity can enable scholarship recipients or awardees to undertake their studies responsibly.

“PK aims to equip scholarship recipients with character strengthening, national values, leadership, ethics, as well as mental and social readiness, so that awardees can undertake their study period optimally and responsibly as recipients of state scholarships,” he stated.