LPDP Alumni Controversy: British Passport Post Triggers Blacklisting Threat

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A post by an Indonesian influencer Dwi Sasetyaningtyas showing off her child's British passport went viral online. She expressed her happiness and stated that she wanted her children to become foreign citizens (WNA) with British passports.

After going viral, Tyas deleted the video. However, the video had already circulated widely and become a public conversation. Some netizens deplored Tyas's remarks, considering them to be demeaning to her own country.

What's the Point of This Controversy?

This case arose after Tyas's post about her child's citizenship circulated on social media. The issue is that Tyas is a scholarship recipient from the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). Her husband, with the initials 'AP', also received the same scholarship.

"I know the world seems unfair, but it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, not my children. We'll try to ensure that our children have strong WNA passports," Tyas said, as quoted by the account X @blaugrana1O.

She admitted that she doesn't want her child to become an Indonesian citizen. She expressed her tiredness as an Indonesian citizen. However, as a recipient of a public scholarship, Tyas strives to speak up for the people.

Recently, Tyas apologized via her Instagram account @sasetyaningtyas. "Regarding my previous post containing the phrase 'it's enough that I'm an Indonesian citizen, not my children'," she said.

Tyas said the statement stemmed from her personal disappointment and frustration as an Indonesian citizen regarding various circumstances. However, Tyas realized that this disappointment should not have been expressed in a way that could potentially hurt people's feelings. "Especially when it concerns the national identity that we all uphold," she said.

LPDP Alleges Tyas' Husband Has Not Fulfilled Post-Scholarship Obligations

The Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) stated that AP, Tyas' husband, has not fulfilled his contribution obligations after completing his studies. "AP is suspected of not fulfilling his contribution obligations after completing his studies," wrote the LPDP in its Instagram Story account lpdp_ri on Friday, February 20, 2026.

According to regulations, all LPDP awardees and alumni are required to serve in Indonesia for two years plus one year of study.

LPDP is conducting an internal investigation into Tyas's husband's contribution. LPDP has also summoned AP for clarification. If it finds that the contribution obligations have not been fulfilled, LPDP will take action and impose sanctions.

LPDP regrets the controversy on social media sparked by Tyas. She claims that such actions do not reflect the values of integrity, ethics, and professionalism that LPDP instills in all scholarship recipients.

LPDP: Tyas Has Completed Her Service Period

However, LPDP stated that Tyas, who studied for two years, has completed her five-year contribution obligation. She completed her master's degree and graduated on August 31, 2017. She has also completed her entire service period as stipulated.

"Therefore, LPDP no longer has any legal ties with the person concerned," the LPDP stated.

LPDP stated that it would continue to communicate with Tyas. LPDP urged Tyas to be more judicious in her use of social media and to be mindful of public sensitivities. "We will also reiterate the importance of LPDP scholarship recipients' national obligations to serve the country," the LPDP stated.

Stella Christie: State Scholarships Are a Debt of Gratitude

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie emphasized that state scholarships are a "debt of gratitude" that must be understood as a trust. "I was criticized by netizens when I advised recipients of overseas undergraduate scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology that scholarships are a debt. But the reality is that every scholarship from the state is a debt of gratitude," Stella said on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

She believes the recent controversy reflects issues of moral education. LPDP is reportedly planning to summon Dwi Sasetyaningtyas' husband for allegedly failing to fulfill his obligations as an awardee. "Scholarships are not understood as a trust, but merely as a facility," Stella said.

Stella said the solution to the controversy is not to tighten scholarship regulations. According to her, excessive restrictions can actually foster cynicism and encourage recipients to find loopholes to avoid obligations.

According to Stella, contributing to Indonesia doesn't always mean having to return home immediately. In some cases, remaining abroad until reaching a strategic position can have a broader impact.

Stella said she continued to contribute while pursuing her career in the United States and China, including by mentoring Indonesian students and bridging inter-institutional collaborations.

Purbaya Blacklisted and Demands AP Return Scholarship Funds

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa expressed his regret over Tyas's social media post about her joy at obtaining a British passport for her child. The former Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation Board of Commissioners considered this an insult to Indonesia, especially since Tyas and her husband received a scholarship funded by taxpayers.

Purbaya emphasized that this is not the way to express displeasure with the country. "That's tax money and part of the debt we set aside to ensure the growth of our human resources. But if it's used to insult the country, then we'll ask for the money with interest," Purbaya said.

He said he would blacklist AP, barring him from pursuing a career in government. Purbaya assured that AP would also face other sanctions for insulting Indonesia. "I will blacklist him. He won't be able to enter the entire government," Purbaya said.

Purbaya: We Will Enforce LPDP Regulations

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that he had communicated with the LPDP President Director regarding the impact of AP's viral case. Purbaya stated that AP has agreed to return the education funds he received as an LPDP awardee, along with interest.

"So, we will enforce LPDP regulations so that the person concerned fulfills his responsibilities to LPDP," Purbaya said in a press conference monitored on the Ministry of Finance's YouTube channel on Monday, February 23, 2026. "He seems to have agreed to return the funds used in LPDP."

Purbaya estimated that the amount of education funds AP must return reaches billions of rupiah. However, he did not specify the exact figure.

Hendrik Yaputra, Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, and Dani Aswara contributed for this article.

Read: LPDP to Sanction 44 Scholarship Awardees Over Alleged Service Violations

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