Jokowi Feels 'Utterly Humiliated', Dokter Tifa Refuses Peace in Diploma Defamation Case

Tifauzia Tyassuma, known as Dokter Tifa, faced her first trial at the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday (2/7) over an alleged defamation case related to the diploma of 7th President Jokowi. Tifa stated she was accompanied by 25 advocates. “I am here at the East Jakarta District Court to fulfil the invitation from the prosecutor’s office, accompanied by my 25 advocates,” Tifa said before the trial. She claimed the advocates are legal experts. During the trial, Tifa was charged with criminal defamation and slander regarding her statements about the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma. The public prosecutor stated that the defendant’s actions constituted an accusation that was not true. The prosecutor explained that Jokowi was a student at the Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), officially registered since 28 July 1980. During his studies, Jokowi completed all academic requirements according to the 1982 Undergraduate Study Programme Guidebook, totalling 160 credits, and UGM subsequently issued a Bachelor of Forestry diploma, Number: 1120, dated 5 November 1985, in Jokowi’s name. The prosecutor stated that as a result of the defendant’s actions, Jokowi suffered immaterial loss. “As a result of the defendant’s actions, witness Jokowi suffered immaterial loss, namely the defamation of his personal reputation, feeling utterly humiliated and degraded, and there are even parties who have joined in accusing witness Jokowi of using a fake diploma,” the prosecutor said. Tifa was charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. After the indictment was read, the panel of judges informed Tifa of the possibility of restorative justice or a peace agreement, as the criminal threat in the indictment is under five years. Following a consultation with her legal team, Tifa firmly rejected the proposal. “Based on my consultation with my advocates, firstly, I will not pursue restorative justice. Secondly, I will file an objection. Thirdly, I will not accept a plea bargain,” Tifa declared. The judge then adjourned the trial until the following Thursday. After the trial, Tifa challenged Jokowi to show his original diploma, not only in court but also to the public. Jokowi’s legal representative, Yakup Hasibuan, stated that the former president is ready to attend the trial and present his diplomas, noting that investigators had previously seized his high school and university diplomas. He added that Jokowi also plans to bring his primary and junior high school diplomas to the court.