JK Reveals He Once Rejected Meeting Invitations from Rismon-Roy Suryo: I Want to Remain Neutral

Vice President of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th administrations, Jusuf Kalla (JK), has revealed that he once rejected meeting invitations from Rismon Sianipar to Roy Suryo. JK emphasised that this stance was taken to maintain neutrality amid the polemic regarding the diploma of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

This was conveyed by JK during a press conference at his residence in the Jalan Brawijaya area, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4/2026). JK explained that he did not want to get involved in the issue that is currently being widely discussed.

“I don’t want to get involved in this matter. Rismon wanted to meet me with seven people, I didn’t accept,” said JK.

JK mentioned that the meeting request was once conveyed through an intermediary. However, he firmly rejected it because he wanted to remain in a neutral position.

“There was a request for time, I rejected it. Roy Suryo wanted to meet me, I rejected it. So that I can remain neutral,” he stated.

It is known that some time ago, JK suggested that the polemic over Jokowi’s diploma, which has been circulating in the public for a long time, be ended in a simple way by simply showing it to the public.

According to him, he is confident that Jokowi’s diploma is authentic, and his statement was merely advice as a senior, not an attack on Jokowi. He said that it aimed to prevent further prolonged debates in society.

“That’s enough, Mr Jokowi, that’s enough. Just show the diploma. That’s all. It arises again, that diploma is very sensitive. Why? And I’m confident it’s authentic, why not show it? Letting the public fight among themselves, cursing each other for two years. This is what I want to tell you,” he added.