BRIN Researchers Support Minister's Move to Pursue Research Fraud Case Legally

Oki Hidayat, a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has expressed full support for the actions of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, to bring cases of research forgery into the legal arena. This decisive step is considered crucial for protecting academic integrity and the reputation of Indonesian researchers on the global stage.

Oki emphasised that the research process is a long orchestration involving significant effort, ranging from idea formulation and funding competitions to complex data analysis. He noted that the practice of research forgery deeply undermines the hard work of professional researchers.

“I am in full agreement, because research is a long orchestration. If these rights are violated by individuals performing fake research, it will have a very negative impact on the academic ecosystem in Indonesia,” Oki told Media Indonesia on Tuesday.

Oki expressed concerns that this scandal could diminish global trust in the credibility of domestic researchers. He also revealed that he had previously encountered the alleged perpetrators—Prihantuna, Rifaldy Fajar, and Rini Winarti—at the Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network event in Taiwan in April 2025, where similar practices were allegedly carried out.

Echoing this sentiment, the Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Lalu Hadrian Irfani, proposed that the Indonesian National Police should intervene to investigate the alleged forgery of documents and academic identities. He believes that internal investigations by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology must be strengthened by criminal law enforcement.