Purbaya Emphasises TNI Briefing for LPDP Recipients: Not for War

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has spoken out following reports that LPDP scholarship recipients will receive special briefing involving elements of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

Purbaya stated that the programme is intended to strengthen nationalism and build the character of scholarship recipients before they pursue their studies.

“LPDP has further briefing from the TNI, not for war, but to train and strengthen their sense of nationalism. Discipline is training in love for the country. We don’t want what happened before, where they go abroad and then badmouth their own country,” said Purbaya to the media at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta on Monday (4/5/2026).

Purbaya emphasised that the involvement of the TNI is not for military or war purposes but for instilling discipline and love for the nation.

He revealed that during a visit to Washington DC, he found that most Indonesian LPDP scholarship students were pursuing non-STEM majors.

“Most of their majors are not STEM. So not what we need. We will change that, because we must increase the use of technology going forward, or we’ll be left behind,” he said.

Purbaya stressed that this policy aims to ensure scholarship recipients not only have academic competence but also a commitment to return and contribute to Indonesia.

“That’s fine, it’s an investment. If it adds a little. It’s not much, surely. Compared to the cost of them studying abroad for years. And if they don’t return, the loss is huge for me,” he said.

Although he did not detail the budget amount, he assured that the implementation costs would not be significantly burdensome as they involve state facilities.

“I don’t know. But it’s not much. With the army, TNI, air force. Usually, the price isn’t the commercial private rate. Usually, it’s sufficient, but not crazy expensive,” Purbaya concluded.

The involvement is realised through support from the Air Force in facilitating LPDP’s Departure Preparation Programme (PK) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, from Monday (4/5/2026) to Saturday (9/5/2026).

“Regarding that information, it is true that the Air Force is facilitating the implementation of the Departure Preparation Programme (PK) organised by LPDP at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base,” said Head of Air Force Public Relations, First Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana, to Kompas.com on Monday (4/5/2026).