Jokowi Responds to JK's Demand to Show Diploma to the Public
President of the Republic of Indonesia’s 7th term, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has responded to the 10th and 12th Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK), who urged him to show his diploma to the public.
The father of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasised that the diploma is a private document. He holds full rights over it.
Conversely, Jokowi challenged those who claim his diploma is fake to prove their accusations.
“Those making the accusations should be the ones to prove it, not me being told to show it,” said Jokowi on Friday (10/4).
Jokowi is concerned that complying with demands from various parties to show his diploma could set a bad precedent.
“Then everyone could make accusations, and the accused would be forced to show proof. That’s backwards,” he said.
In addition to urging him to show the diploma, JK also stated that the diploma issue has dragged on for too long. The prolonged polemic, according to JK, is troubling society.
Jokowi said his side has reported the accusations by Roy Suryo and others to the Metro Jaya Police since last year. However, the case is still under investigation to this day.
He hopes the police can process the case more quickly so it can soon be brought to trial.
“This has been almost a year now. Proceed to P21 quickly and hand it over to the court so we can show what’s true and what’s not,” said Jokowi.
According to Jokowi, the court is the proper place to obtain legal certainty. He is ready to show his diploma if requested by the judge during the trial.
“The forum is clear; the legal forum is in the court,” he said.
“If the judge asks to show the original diploma, I will show it. From primary school, junior high, senior high, bachelor’s, all of them I will show,” he continued.
Previously, JK said the diploma polemic involving Jokowi not only has material impacts but also triggers division in society due to the prolonged debate.
“Our time is wasted, the costs are expensive, and there’s division in society. Pro and contra is division, fighting tooth and nail on TV. That’s disrupting our national character in that way,” said JK on Wednesday (8/4).
According to JK, the matter could actually be resolved simply if Jokowi shows his original diploma. JK was Jokowi’s running mate when leading Indonesia in the 2014-2019 period.
“Actually, the problem is simple, because I’m sure Mr Jokowi has the original diploma. So, let’s just stop this matter by having Mr Jokowi simply show his original diploma,” he stated.