Dr Tifa Faces Two Consecutive Hearings: Jokowi Diploma Case and UI Dissertation

Terdakwa Tifauzia Tyassuma, known as Dr Tifa, is set to face two major examinations on consecutive days. She will attend the first hearing of her trial regarding allegations about President Joko Widodo’s academic credentials, followed by her doctoral dissertation defence at the University of Indonesia. “I am currently preparing for the exam the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow I have my dissertation defence, so I am facing two exams on two consecutive days. Tomorrow is the legal exam, the day after is the medical exam,” Tifa said on Head to Head CNN Indonesia on Wednesday (1/7). She stated that she and Roy Suryo remain solid in facing this case. She noted that the two have known each other for a long time, making it impossible for them to part ways because of this case. “Yes, we are facing two different trials, one in South Jakarta, one in East Jakarta. But that does not mean we are parting ways,” she said. Dr Tifa was previously arrested in this case before being released. One of her lawyers, Azis Yanuar, stated that his client was about to take her dissertation exam, or doctoral programme exam, at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine when the arrest occurred. Azis said Dr Tifa was arrested at her apartment on Friday (19/6) at around 06.47 Western Indonesia Time. After the arrest, Dr Tifa was immediately taken to the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters. Azis noted that despite the arrest, Dr Tifa still took her dissertation exam online. He shared a photo of Dr Tifa sitting in a room he claimed was within the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters.