LPDP Confirms Prihantini as 2022 Scholarship Recipient Amid Research Fraud Claims
The Indonesian Education Management Agency (LPDP) has confirmed Prihantini as a 2022 scholarship recipient. Her name has been implicated in alleged identity and research fraud at the International Society of Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISSPD) conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 17-21 May 2026.
LPDP’s Head of Legal and Communication Division, M. Lukmanul Hakim, stated the agency is still investigating the circulating information, including verifying relevant data and facts.
“Based on initial internal data checks, the individual named Prihantini is recorded as an LPDP scholarship recipient who completed her studies in 2022,” Lukmanul said in a written statement on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
LPDP will further examine Prihantini’s compliance with scholarship contract obligations through coordination with universities. Lukmanul stated that the findings from this investigation will determine the agency’s next steps.
“LPDP appreciates public attention and is committed to maintaining accountability and the honour of Indonesia’s academic community globally,” he added.
Regarding allegations of research manipulation by Prihantini, LPDP affirmed its commitment to upholding integrity, professionalism, and academic ethics. Lukmanul stated the agency does not tolerate any form of scientific misconduct.
The allegations were first raised by epidemiologist Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat, who attended the scientific conference representing Oxford University. According to Dwi, she witnessed a woman named Prihantini posing as Dimas Fajar Prasetyo while presenting research orally during the poster spotlight session on the second day.
Before taking the podium, Prihantini removed a name card reading “Riana Dwi Kurniawati” and replaced it with one for “Dimas Fajar Prasetyo” taken from her bag.
“It was right in front of me, with no barriers. Perhaps she was in a hurry and stopped paying attention to those around her,” Dwi recounted during a video call on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
At the time, Dwi questioned Prihantini’s identity directly, puzzled why “Dimas” was not male. Her suspicions grew when Prihantini claimed to be Dimas.
The identity fraud allegation strengthened when Prihantini was seen changing her headscarf upon entering section 4, where Dwi was present. According to Dwi, Prihantini allegedly layered a red headscarf with a black one.
Prihantini wore a black headscarf while presenting different research in section 2 under the name Riana Dwi Kurniati. The two presentations were ten minutes apart, Dwi said. She noted Prihantini’s name did not appear on the research abstract or poster, but suddenly appeared alongside Rivaldy Fajar in the presentation materials.
After the session, Dwi asked Prihantini to explain the research claimed to be authored by five people: Prihantini as lead author, Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, Aminatus Sa’adah, Riana Dwi Kurniati, and Rivaldy Fajar as team leader. Dwi observed Prihantini was unable to explain the abstract or poster on the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PVC).
Dwi stated she could not verify the authenticity of Dimas, Aminatus, and Riana as she did not meet them on-site. Communication with Rivaldy during the incident was via video call through Prihantini’s phone. After being pressed by Dwi, Prihantini admitted she was not Dimas or Riana as claimed before international scientists at the conference.
“What really concerned me and prompted me to report this is that their vaccine research results were overly grandiose and seemed fabricated,” Dwi said.
According to Prihantini’s statements to Dwi, the five individuals submitted 19 abstract titles with extensive research scales requiring international consortium collaboration. Research locations listed included the Peruvian Andes, Ethiopian highlands, Guatemala, Lebanon, and Nepal without ethical approvals or local researcher collaboration.
Dwi also assessed the abstracts and posters showed signs of fabricated data and AI-generated content, as it was implausible to produce perfect research results accidentally. The preliminary suspicion is that Prihantini and associates sought travel grants to attend conferences without conducting actual research.
Dwi noted the ISSPD 2026 committee revoked travel grants for Prihantini’s group on 21 May after the incident was reported on 19 May.
The research group is suspected to have attended other conferences, including the International Conference on Resource Sustainability 2025 at the University of Adelaide, Australia; the Outstanding Research Abstract Award in Kyoto, Japan; and the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver Single Topic Conference 2025 in Tokyo.
The allegations of research and identity fraud were raised by Dwi on social media alongside Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika, a lecturer at Udayana University’s Faculty of Marine and Fisheries pursuing a doctoral degree in Climate Mathematics at the University of Exeter. Dwi and Mandhara argued that Prihantini’s actions tarnish the integrity of Indonesian researchers internationally.
Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika stated that the alleged identity and research fraud constitute serious academic ethics violations. He hoped the alleged actions by Prihantini and Rivaldy would at least face social sanctions, as there is currently no system for…