Jokowi's Side Responds to Jusuf Kalla on the Prolonged Diploma Case

Joko Widodo’s legal counsel, Rivai Kusumanegara, is pushing for the case of alleged dissemination of false news and digital manipulation regarding Jokowi’s fake diploma to be brought to court. This was stated by Rivai in response to Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who described the Jokowi diploma case as dragging on. “We continue to push for the matter to be handed over to the court so that there is legal certainty regarding the authenticity of Pak Jokowi’s diploma,” said Rivai, quoted from detikcom on Friday (10/4). Rivai revealed that many witnesses have been questioned during the investigation phase, from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officials, lecturers, to Jokowi’s peers. In addition, he continued, forensic laboratory tests have also been conducted to examine the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma. On that basis, he hopes the case can be tried soon. He said that legal certainty regarding the fake diploma allegations could restore the reputation of certain parties who have been implicated. “In fact, if this case is stopped, it is not impossible that the diploma issue will be raised again in a few years and our public space will be disrupted again. Legal certainty on the authenticity of Pak Jokowi’s diploma will also restore the reputation of parties that have been implicated so far, such as UGM, KPU/D, and Kemendikti,” he explained. Rivai added that his client is ready to provide direct testimony in the trial later. He also mentioned that Jokowi will directly show his original diploma, which has been the issue all along. “Witnesses, including Pak Jokowi, are ready to give testimony in the trial. In addition, Pak Jokowi will show his diplomas from primary school to bachelor’s degree in the trial, which can be witnessed by the public and media,” he concluded. Previously, on Wednesday (8/4), JK stated that the polemic over the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma has been dragging on. That statement was made by JK after officially reporting Rismon Sianipar for allegations of spreading hoaxes. JK took issue with being involved in funding Roy Suryo regarding Jokowi’s diploma. Roy Suryo has been named a suspect in the case of alleged dissemination of false news related to Jokowi’s diploma. “Actually, this case has been going on for 2 years, 3 years, disturbing society, wasting time, harming Pak Jokowi, harming everyone, tens of billions of rupiah wasted on whether it’s lawyers or like me, my time is lost, involved,” said JK at Bareskrim Polri, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4). “Our time is wasted, the costs are high, and it causes division in society. Pro and contra is division, fighting tooth and nail on TV. That disrupts our national character in that way,” he added.