Minister Of Finance Sri Mulyani Ensures That The Budget For College Scholarships To KIP Is Not 'Set' After Crowded Criticism

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati. (Dok. Public Relations Ministry of Finance)

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani ensured that the scholarship program was not affected by budget efficiency. Likewise with the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) program which was widely protested.

This statement was conveyed with the leadership of parliament, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi in the House of Representatives Commission III Meeting Room, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, February 14. The current criticism of budget efficiency has an impact on the world of higher education

"Regarding the news regarding the Smart Indonesia Card scholarship, we emphasize that the Smart Indonesia Card scholarship has not been cut or reduced," Sri Mulyani said at a press conference.

Sri Mulyani then explained that the number of KIP recipients for the 2024 budget year reached 1,040,192 students with a budget value of Rp. 14,698,000,000.

"The budget has not been cut and has not been reduced," said Sri Mulyani.

"Thus, all students who have and are receiving KIP scholarships, Smart Indonesia Cards, can continue the learning program as usual," he continued.

Not only KIP scholarships, Sri Mulyani said, the scholarship program for university students managed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisainstek) and the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) was also not affected by budget efficiency.

Including, scholarships for the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDPP). The total beneficiaries reached 40,030 beneficiaries.

"Beasis pemberi LPDP, Kemendiktisaintek yaitu scholarship pendidikan Indonesia dan scholarship Indonesia berawa di bawah Kementerian Agama juga tetap terpatran usia dengan kontrak scholarship yang sudah dilakukan," pungkasnya.