TNI Provides Indoctrination for LPDP Recipients, DPR Member: As Long as It's for Patriotism, It's Fine
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of the House of Representatives Commission XI, Hasanuddin Wahid, believes there is nothing wrong with the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in providing indoctrination for recipients of scholarships from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), as long as it does not violate regulations and aims to enhance patriotic values.
“If involving the TNI, as long as it does not violate regulations and its function and purpose are effective in boosting patriotism among all our students and pupils, in my opinion, it’s perfectly fine,” said Hasanuddin when met at the House of Representatives building on Monday (4/5/2026).
Hasanuddin believes that the indoctrination for LPDP recipients should indeed include values of love for the homeland, especially for students who will pursue education abroad.
“Indeed, one of the elements of LPDP, in my view, I agree that love for the homeland, patriotism, how they, as students or pupils abroad, still carry patriotic values, love for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and so on in their daily lives abroad,” said Hasanuddin.
Nevertheless, Hasanuddin emphasised that the involvement of the TNI must refer to applicable regulations and not deviate from its function.
The Secretary General of the National Awakening Party assessed that compliance with regulations is the primary key in that policy.
From the budget perspective, Hasanuddin assured that the indoctrination would not significantly burden the state finances.
He also considered it reasonable to incur costs, as long as they have a clear purpose for national interests.
“It won’t take much budget if it’s just for indoctrination; it’s not that much. To create love for the homeland and nation, spending budget, I think it’s reasonable because the objective is clear, right, to enhance patriotism,” he said.
However, Hasanuddin warned that the programme should not be turned into an ineffective sectoral interest arena.
“Unless this is a lavish, ineffective activity, just for the ego of one or two institutions, then we would consider it. But if it’s for the NKRI, I think the price paid, as long as it’s rational, is fine,” he said.
Previously reported, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the involvement of the TNI in LPDP indoctrination aims to strengthen nationalism and shape the character of scholarship recipients.
“LPDP has further indoctrination from the TNI, not for war, but to train and strengthen their sense of nationalism. Discipline is training love for the country. Don’t let it be like before, going abroad and then badmouthing their own country,” said Purbaya.