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According to a written statement released on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) revealed that the lead author of a scientific paper proposing the Free Meal Program (MBG) as a 2026 Nobel Peace Prize candidate is not a university lecturer. The finding emerged from preliminary tracking conducted by an investigative team formed by Kemendiktisaintek to review the paper titled “Nobel Peace Prize 2026 Free Meal Program by the National Nutrition Agency.”
Investigation Findings on Author Affiliation
The investigative team examined the status of the primary author, identified by the initials DD. According to Kemendiktisaintek’s written statement, DD does not hold the academic rank of Professor and is not affiliated as a lecturer at any higher education institution. Additional information gathered by the investigation indicates that DD recently underwent a doctoral promotion defense.
The controversial paper previously drew public attention because it listed President Prabowo Subianto as one of the co-authors. However, coordination between the ministry and individuals named in the document revealed that these figures had no knowledge of the paper, never gave consent for their inclusion, and remained entirely uninvolved in drafting or uploading the manuscript.
Did You Know? The investigative team confirmed through the lead author’s home campus that the individual with the initials DD has already issued a formal statement and offered an apology regarding the incident.
Clarification on the SSRN Platform and Nobel Process
Kemendiktisaintek also addressed public questions surrounding the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) platform following the controversy. The ministry explained that SSRN functions merely as a preprint repository utilized by researchers to share scientific manuscripts, rather than an institution possessing any authority to designate Nobel laureates. Consequently, the appearance of a paper on SSRN does not signify that its contents or claims have undergone verification or recognition by the Nobel Committee.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that listing an individual as an author on an SSRN upload does not automatically imply their consent, as manuscript submitters handle the inputting of author information. When names appear without authorization, the situation constitutes a breach of publication ethics that requires formal clarification and resolution. Additionally, the ministry noted that using terms like “nomination” in a paper’s title does not constitute an official Nobel candidacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the primary author of the paper?
The primary author is identified by the initials DD, who recently underwent a doctoral promotion defense.
What is the status of DD at academic institutions according to the ministry?
According to Kemendiktisaintek, DD does not hold the academic title of Professor and is not affiliated as a lecturer at a university.
Does publication on SSRN mean a paper is officially recognized by the Nobel Committee?
No. The ministry clarified that SSRN is a preprint sharing repository, and uploading a manuscript there does not mean the Nobel Committee has verified or recognized its claims.
How should academic platforms handle author attribution to prevent similar controversies in the future?