Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has taken a firm stance, imposing strict sanctions on recipients of the LPDP scholarship program who are found to have disparaged Indonesia through their social media posts. This decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to upholding national dignity and accountability, particularly among those who benefit from public funds.
The controversy emerged following a highly contentious social media post by Dwi Sasetyaningtyas, an LPDP alumnus. Her statement, “I am Indonesian, but my children should not be,” sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation. While Sasetyaningtyas has since issued a public apology, the government has made it clear that the process of enforcing regulations will proceed without wavering, signaling zero tolerance for such behavior.
Demanded Compensation and Return of Funds Plus Interest
In response, Purbaya has initiated coordination with the LPDP CEO and other relevant parties, including Dwi Sasetyaningtyas’s husband, Arya Iwantoro, who is also an LPDP scholarship beneficiary. These discussions have led to an agreement for the immediate return of the disbursed funds, critically, including accumulated interest.
“I spoke with her and the LPDP CEO, and also with her husband. It seems they have agreed to return the money used from LPDP, along with interest. After all, money placed in a bank also accrues interest, doesn’t it?” Purbaya stated during the APBN KiTa press conference on Monday (February 23).
The Minister emphasized that LPDP funds originate from Indonesian taxpayers and state financing, specifically allocated to enhance the nation’s human resources. Therefore, he argued, it is entirely inappropriate for these funds to be utilized by individuals who undermine the very nation they are meant to serve.
“I hope that LPDP recipients, even if they disagree [with the government], will never insult the nation. This money comes from taxes and partly from debt, to ensure our human resources grow. But if it’s used to insult the country, we will demand the money and taxes back,” Purbaya asserted. He further confirmed that Arya Iwantoro, who is currently pursuing his PhD in Europe with LPDP funding, has also agreed to return his scholarship funds, again, inclusive of interest, mirroring standard banking practices.
Blacklisted from Government Agencies
Beyond the financial restitution, Purbaya confirmed an additional severe administrative sanction: a comprehensive blacklist across all government institutions.
“I will blacklist her; she will not be able to enter or work with any government entity. You will see what this blacklist entails. So, do not insult your own country,” he declared emphatically. He clarified that this blacklist effectively prohibits the sanctioned individual from working for or having any contractual relationship with the government, marking a significant professional impediment.
LPDP Funds Come from Public Money
Reinforcing the gravity of the matter, Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara elaborated on the genesis of LPDP funds. He explained that these scholarship funds are derived from taxes collected by the state and are managed as an endowment fund.
“Each year, we collect taxes, which go into the state budget (APBN), and then a portion is set aside. This then becomes an endowment fund. The management of this endowment fund generates returns, which we then use to finance scholarships. So, it is the people’s money,” Suahasil highlighted. He thus urged all scholarship recipients to deeply respect the source of these funds, recognizing them as originating directly from the contributions of Indonesian citizens.
Summary
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has imposed strict sanctions on LPDP scholarship recipients who disparaged Indonesia on social media, emphasizing national dignity and accountability. This action followed a controversial post by alumnus Dwi Sasetyaningtyas. Purbaya coordinated an agreement for Sasetyaningtyas and her husband, Arya Iwantoro (also an LPDP beneficiary), to return their disbursed scholarship funds, including accumulated interest. He stressed that LPDP funds, sourced from taxpayers, are meant to enhance national human resources and should not be used by individuals who undermine the country.
Beyond financial restitution, Purbaya confirmed an administrative sanction, blacklisting Sasetyaningtyas from all government institutions, prohibiting her from working for or contracting with the government. Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara further clarified that LPDP scholarship funds originate from state taxes and are managed as an endowment fund, classifying them as “the people’s money.” He urged recipients to deeply respect these public funds, highlighting the gravity of misusing such resources to insult the nation.