JK Denies Funding Roy Suryo to Question Jokowi's Diploma, Plans to Report to Police

Vice President of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th terms, Jusuf Kalla, has denied accusations that he funded Roy Suryo and related parties to question the authenticity of the diploma of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo. Based on several pieces of information circulating on digital platforms, Jusuf Kalla (JK) stated that he was accused of providing funding amounting to Rp5 billion for that purpose and assured that the information is untrue. “I say that it is certainly and confidently not true,” said JK during a press conference at his residence in Jakarta on Sunday (5/4). To that end, JK stated that he will report to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) to straighten out the matter and confirm that the accusations are false. JK said his lawyer will report to Bareskrim on Monday (6/4). In addition, JK emphasised that he has never been involved in the polemic over Jokowi’s diploma issue, either with Roy Suryo or Rismon Sianipar. Besides that, JK conveyed that the meeting that took place at his residence last Ramadan with several academics and professionals was to discuss suggestions regarding the current state of the nation. According to JK, the parties who came to his residence were not invited but came of their own accord. JK assured that the meeting was also not related to the polemic over Jokowi’s diploma. “That discussion was open, completely open. It was only suggestions for policy and that was for Mr President (Prabowo). Yes, Mr President (Prabowo),” said Jusuf Kalla. Meanwhile, JK’s lawyer, Abdul Haji Talaohu, stated that the report will likely address defamation. This step is taken as a form of accountability for the existence of such accusations. Actually, he said, Jusuf Kalla really does not want to deal with trivial matters like that. However, because it has attracted public attention, they decided to make a report. “And Mr JK has already stated that it is slander, an accusation of slander, so this must be addressed seriously,” said Abdul.