Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education emphasises strict sanctions for UTBK 2026 cheating perpetrators

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Atip Latipulhayat emphasised strict sanctions for perpetrators of proxy cheating in the 2026 Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK) during monitoring of the exam’s implementation at the State University of Surabaya on Wednesday. “I have monitored all rooms. The UTBK is proceeding smoothly, and no participants have been found engaging in actions contrary to the rules and standard operating procedures,” he stated. He stressed that proxy cheating practices constitute criminal acts because they involve identity forgery, and the perpetrators act without legitimate rights as valid participants. According to him, handling such cases will not only target the proxies but also the users of their services. “That action is clearly a criminal offence. There is identity forgery, and the perpetrator acts without rights because they are not the legitimate participant,” he said. In addition, they will be blacklisted from all pathways of selection for state universities. “Participants who use proxies will be automatically disqualified. They will even be unable to participate in the entire selection process, including independent pathways. This is a serious violation related to integrity,” he said. According to Atip, sanctions will also apply if violations are uncovered only after the participant has been accepted into a university. He assessed that dismissal or expulsion from the campus must be enforced to maintain educational integrity. “The rules are clear. If it is later proven after acceptance, in my view, they must be expelled,” he stated. Atip added that education must uphold the values of integrity and honesty as the primary foundation in the academic process.