Jakarta. The president director of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Sudarto, said four scholarship alumni have been sanctioned and ordered to repay between Rp 1 billion and Rp 2 billion ($59,600–$119,200) for failing to meet their mandatory service obligation in Indonesia.

Sudarto said the amount required to be repaid depends on the level of study completed by each recipient.

“Of the eight individuals identified, four have fully repaid the funds to the state, while the remaining four have committed to repayment through installments,” Sudarto said during a media briefing at the Finance Ministry office in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

He added that recipients who completed master’s degrees are required to repay around Rp 1 billion, while doctoral graduates face repayment obligations of up to Rp 2 billion.

The issue drew public attention after a TikTok video posted by LPDP scholarship recipient Dwi Sasetyaningtyas went viral. Now living in the United Kingdom with her husband and children, she said in the video that she was pleased her second child had obtained British citizenship, adding, “It’s enough that I’m Indonesian, my children don’t have to be.”

The video sparked widespread backlash, with critics questioning her use of public funds to study abroad while failing to return to Indonesia. Her husband, Arya Pamungkas, was also scrutinized after netizens discovered he was likewise an LPDP scholarship recipient who had not fulfilled his return service obligation.

In response, LPDP launched an investigation into scholarship recipients who did not return to Indonesia after completing their studies.

LPDP requires awardees to return and contribute to Indonesia for a mandatory service period. The policy has since been revised to require service equal to twice the duration of study (2N). Previously, until 2025, recipients were required to serve for twice the study period plus one additional year (2N+1).

These requirements are stipulated in the scholarship agreement signed by recipients. Violations may result in sanctions ranging from full repayment of educational funding to disqualification from future LPDP programs.

Beyond the eight cases already sanctioned, LPDP is currently reviewing 36 additional cases of suspected violations.

Sudarto said each case is being assessed objectively, taking into account relevant facts and context, noting that LPDP funds originate from public finances and represent a mandate from the Indonesian people.

LPDP added that certain circumstances allow alumni to remain overseas during their service period, including official assignments for civil servants, members of the military or police, employees of state-owned enterprises, or other government-mandated postings.

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