A suspected research fraud case linked to a scientific conference in Denmark has triggered an official investigation in Indonesia, Voi reports.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology has established a special investigation team following allegations that Indonesian citizens fabricated research data and misused academic affiliations in connection with the International Society of Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) 2026 conference.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto said the ministry is coordinating with Yogyakarta State University (UNY), where one of the alleged perpetrators graduated.
“We have also coordinated with the UNY campus, the campus where he graduated from the alleged perpetrator of this violation,” Brian Yuliarto said during a parliamentary hearing in Jakarta.
According to the minister, preliminary findings indicate that most of those involved were not lecturers or formal educators at Indonesian universities. This limits the ministry’s ability to impose academic sanctions.
Authorities are nevertheless examining whether criminal charges could be pursued. Brian Yuliarto stressed the need for legal consequences, saying: “Because we believe that there is no legal action, we are afraid that it will not have a deterrent effect.”
The minister also said investigators had found indications that university affiliations may have been used without permission.
“Well, that means they are using the name of the university without permission and also means fraud,” he said.
Indonesian authorities fear the case could harm the country’s academic reputation abroad.
“This will make a very negative image for researchers in Indonesia,” Brian Yuliarto said.
According to the ministry, the alleged manipulation of scientific data and identities may have been carried out to obtain travel funding and attend international conferences overseas free of charge.
