LPDP alumnus Dwi Sasetyaningtyas drew attention after a viral video boasting her child's UK passport while belittling Indonesian citizenship. LPDP expressed regret over her statement and plans to investigate her husband's obligations as an alumnus. The controversy highlights public funds supporting the LPDP scholarship program.
The controversy began with an Instagram video from @sasetyaningtyas showing the opening of a UK passport package for her child. "I know the world seems unfair but enough for me to be WNI, not my children; let's aim for strong passport foreigners for them," said Dwi Sasetyaningtyas, or DS, in the video that went viral on social media.
LPDP responded with an official statement on Friday, saying DS's actions do not reflect the integrity values instilled. DS, who completed a two-year S2 study and graduated on August 31, 2017, has fulfilled her five-year service obligation in Indonesia. Though no legal ties remain, LPDP will communicate with her to advise more prudent social media use.
Regarding DS's husband, AP, LPDP noted he is an alumnus suspected of not completing his contribution obligations post-study. The agency will summon him for clarification and may impose sanctions up to full scholarship repayment if proven.
DS later apologized, stating the words stemmed from disappointment, fatigue, and frustration as a citizen. Netizens then dug into her background, revealing her father-in-law, Syukur Iwantoro, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Director General of Livestock and Animal Health. He was questioned by KPK as a witness in the 2013 beef import bribery case and the 2019 garlic import case, though not as a suspect.
Contrasting DS's narrative of a simple struggling life, the controversy spotlights LPDP's Education Endowment Fund of Rp 126.12 trillion from the state budget and taxes. Total endowment balance reached Rp 154.11 trillion as of September 2025. LPDP faced deficits in 2023 (income Rp 9.33 trillion, expenses Rp 9.85 trillion) and 2024 (Rp 10.95 trillion vs Rp 11.86 trillion) due to a surge in recipients: 9,358 in 2023 and 8,592 in 2024. For 2025 and 2026, quotas are reduced to 4,000 each, said Acting Head Sudarto.
