Chronology of Indonesian Nationals Allegedly Falsifying Research at International Conference
A number of Indonesian nationals are suspected of falsifying research and identities while attending the International Society of Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISSPD) conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 17 to 21 May 2026. The allegations were revealed by epidemiologist Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat, who participated in the scientific event representing Oxford University.
Dwi reported witnessing a woman named Prihantini posing as Dimas Fajar Prasetyo during a poster spotlight session on the second day. Before presenting, she removed a name card reading Riana Dwi Kurniawati and replaced it with one bearing Dimas Fajar Prasetyo’s name, taken from her bag. “It happened right in front of me with no barriers. Perhaps she was in a rush and stopped noticing those around her,” Dwi recounted during a video call on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
Dwi questioned Prihantini’s identity, noting the discrepancy that Dimas was not male. Suspicion grew when Prihantini was seen changing her hijab upon entering Station 4, layering a red hijab with a black one. She presented a different study in Section 2 under the name Riana Dwi Kurniati, ten minutes after the previous session. Dwi noted that Prihantini’s name did not appear in the abstract or poster, yet she and Rivaldy Fajar suddenly appeared in the presentation materials.
After the session, Dwi asked Prihantini to explain the research allegedly authored by five people, including herself as lead author, Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, Aminatus Sa’adah, Riana Dwi Kurniati, and Rivaldy Fajar as team leader. Dwi observed she was unable to explain the abstract or poster regarding the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PVC).
Dwi could not verify the authenticity of Dimas, Aminatus, and Riana as they were not present, but communication with Rivaldy occurred via video call through Prihantini’s phone. After pressure, Prihantini admitted she was not Dimas or Riana as claimed before international scientists.
“The reason I was so concerned and reported this was because their vaccine research claims were enormous and the results appeared highly exaggerated,” Dwi said.
According to Prihantini’s confession, the group submitted 19 abstracts claiming extensive research across multiple countries—including Peruvian Andes, Ethiopian highlands, Guatemala, Lebanon, and Nepal—without ethical approvals or local collaborations. Dwi also suspected fabricated data and AI-generated content, deeming it impossible to produce such flawless results unintentionally. The group allegedly sought travel grants without conducting actual research.
ISSPD 2026 organisers revoked the group’s travel grants on 21 May after the report was filed on 19 May. The research group is also suspected of participating in other conferences, such as the International Conference on Resource Sustainability 2025 in Adelaide, Australia, the Outstanding Research Abstract Award in Kyoto, Japan, and the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver conference in Tokyo.
Dwi and Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika, a lecturer at Udayana University’s Faculty of Marine and Fisheries pursuing a climate mathematics doctorate at the University of Exeter, raised the issue on social media, stating the actions tarnish Indonesian researchers’ international reputation. Mandhara called the alleged fraud a serious academic ethics violation and urged social sanctions due to the lack of formal academic reporting systems in Indonesia. “This incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Without proper mechanisms, we’re left with social pressure,” he said.
Tempo has been unable to contact Prihantini and Rivaldy Fajar as their social media accounts were deleted after the scandal went viral. Rivaldy briefly posted a clarification statement before closing his accounts.