JK to Report Allegations of Funding Jokowi's Diploma Issue to Bareskrim Today
Former Vice President of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th administrations, Jusuf Kalla (JK), will report allegations that he funded the case accusing the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, of possessing a fake diploma to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) today. JK firmly stated that he has no involvement whatsoever in the actions carried out by Roy Suryo and Tifauziah Tyassuma and associates. He claimed that information circulating on digital platforms alleging a provision of Rp5 billion funding is untrue. “I say that it is certainly and confidently not true,” JK said during a press conference at his residence in Jakarta on Sunday (5/4). Therefore, he stated that the report to Bareskrim Polri will be made to clarify the issue. He said the report will be submitted directly through his lawyer. On the same occasion, JK denied ever being involved in the polemic over Jokowi’s diploma issue, whether with Roy Suryo or Rismon Sianipar. In addition, he said 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 attended 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. “The discussion was open, completely open. It was only suggestions for policy and that was for Mr President (Prabowo). Yes, Mr President (Prabowo),” he explained. Meanwhile, JK’s lawyer, Abdul Haji Talaohu, stated that the report will likely address defamation. This step is taken as a form of accountability regarding the existing allegations. Actually, he said, Jusuf Kalla is very unwilling to deal with trivial matters like this. However, because it has garnered public attention, they decided to file the report. “And Mr JK has already stated that it is slander, an accusation of slander, so this must be addressed seriously,” he clarified.