Jusuf Kalla: Controversy Over Jokowi's Diploma Case Disturbs the Public
Former 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), stated that the controversy over the fake diploma case involving the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has disturbed the public and harmed many parties, including himself.
JK became entangled in the case after narratives on various digital platforms claimed that he provided Rp5 billion to Roy Suryo and associates to pursue the case against Jokowi’s diploma. In those narratives, Rismon Hasiolan Sianipar claimed to have witnessed the money handover directly.
“It disturbs the public, wastes time, harms Mr Jokowi, harms everyone; tens of billions in funds are wasted—whether on lawyers or, like in my case, my time is lost, being implicated,” JK said after reporting Rismon Hasiolan Sianipar and four YouTube accounts to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, on Wednesday (8/4).
JK warned that the endless bickering debates appearing in the mass media on this matter would only continue to incite polarisation in society.
“Our time is wasted, the costs are high, and it causes division in society. Pro and contra is division, fighting to the death on TV. Our national character is disrupted in that way,” he said.
JK personally took action by visiting the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency to file the report. This legal step was taken regarding the spread of hoaxes about him in connection with the Jokowi diploma controversy. The report was registered under number LP/B/135/IV/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri.
Evidence in the form of video recordings containing accusations against him was also submitted along with the report.
Regarding his reasons, JK said he felt deeply humiliated by Rismon’s accusations labelling him as a funder for investigating Jokowi’s diploma. Yet, he is a figure who once accompanied the 7th President of Indonesia for one term.
Moreover, JK denied Rismon’s statements about him providing Rp5 billion to Roy Suryo and associates.
“Why would I pay someone Rp5 billion to investigate him? That is inappropriate and impossible for me to do. It is an insult and harms my dignity,” JK said.
Regarding Rismon’s defence about AI, according to JK, Rismon only denied direct involvement in creating the video but did not refute the content of his statements regarding the Rp5 billion.
“He only said it wasn’t him who did it, but he didn’t deny the content. He didn’t deny it,” JK said.
JK added that legal proceedings might be considered for discontinuation if there had been clarification from the start about the falsehood of the funding issue.
“If he denies that it’s not true, that Mr JK gave Rp5 billion, gave money, it might be beneficial. But saying it’s AI means nothing to me,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Roy Suryo supported JK’s legal action. Roy also urged the police to continue investigating who created the content, even if it used AI technology.
“AI must have been made by someone. Now, who made it? It can’t be a devil, it can’t be a goblin,” Roy asserted, on Thursday (9/4).