JK's Remarks on the Prolonged Jokowi Diploma Case

Former Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla (JK) assessed the case regarding President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) diploma as having dragged on for too long. He stated that the case is now also harming him personally.

For context, several parties have been designated as suspects by the police in the case of allegations of Jokowi’s fake diploma. Recently, two individuals, Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis, applied for restorative justice after apologising to Jokowi.

The investigation against them was subsequently halted. Another suspect, Rismon Sianipar, has also applied for restorative justice after apologising to Jokowi.

Now, the diploma case has spilled over into other issues. JK feels his reputation has been damaged by Rismon’s statement claiming that he funded Roy Suryo and associates, who have become suspects, to challenge Jokowi’s diploma.

JK denied doing so. He considers Rismon suspected of spreading false information or hoax. JK then reported Rismon to the police.

“I came to file a police report. It turns out the police reporting process is quite lengthy. I am reporting Mr Rismon Sianipar for his actions that I deem harmful to me because he said I funded Roy Suryo and his associates regarding Mr Jokowi’s diploma,” said JK at the Bareskrim Polri building in South Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

JK’s report was registered under number LP/B/135/IV/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated Wednesday, 8 April 2026. JK reported Rismon for suspected criminal acts of disseminating or spreading false news and/or defamation and/or defamation of honour as referred to in Article 263 of the Criminal Code and/or Article 434 of the Criminal Code and/or Article 433 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code and/or Article 27A in conjunction with Article 45 paragraph (4) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 1 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to Law Number 11 of 2008 on Information and Electronic Transactions.

JK said the accusation of funding Roy Suryo was untrue and had defamed his name. He viewed the widely circulated information as a form of unethical insult.

“It is clear that I did not do it. First of all, it has spread widely, and for me, this is an insult. Because it is very unethical for me; Mr Jokowi is the President whom I served as Vice President,” said JK.

JK stated that he served as Vice President alongside Jokowi for five years. He said it was impossible for him to pay people to investigate Jokowi.

“We were both in the government, together for five years; how could I pay people Rp 5 billion to investigate him. That is inappropriate and impossible for me to do,” he said.

According to JK, the accusation is harmful because it portrays him as funding efforts to scrutinise or betray the President. Therefore, JK chose to pursue legal channels.

“Because it has already spread or whatever, I am taking it to the police because of my reputation,” he explained.

JK claimed he has never communicated with or personally known Rismon. He said he has not received any apology or clarification.

In addition to reporting Rismon, JK said parties involved in reporting those spreading the information. He claimed to have submitted several pieces of evidence, including recordings circulating in the media.

JK also assessed that the Jokowi diploma case has dragged on for too long. He said the case harms Jokowi and triggers division in society.

“Actually, this case has been going on for two or three years. It troubles the public, wastes time, harms Mr Jokowi, harms everyone; tens of billions of rupiah are wasted on lawyers or whatever, like in my case, my time is lost, being involved,” he said.

JK believes the issue can be resolved simply. He is convinced that Jokowi has an authentic diploma.

“Actually, the problem is simple because I am sure Mr Jokowi has an authentic diploma. We should just stop this matter by having Mr Jokowi show his authentic diploma,” he said.

“I am sure Mr Jokowi understands the social harm we have suffered from this two-to-three-year issue. Just show it to the public and it’s done. I am sure Mr Jokowi will do that rather than us quarrelling, with groups quarrelling for years, wasting time, losing social dignity; that is what we hope for,” JK added.

He hopes the polemic can end soon. He is convinced that Jokowi does not want division in society.

“I am sure and certain that Mr Jokowi does not want, as the President does not want, his people to be divided over this small matter,” he said.