Jusuf Kalla Deems Diploma Case Dragging On: It Disturbs the Public and Harms Jokowi

JAKARTA - The 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), believes that the polemic surrounding the diploma of the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has gone on long enough and is detrimental to many parties. According to JK, the controversy is causing anxiety among the public. “Actually, this case has been going on for two or three years. It disturbs the public, wastes time, harms Mr Jokowi, and harms everyone,” JK explained at Bareskrim Polri on Wednesday (8/4/2026). He stated that the polemic is also causing material losses and consuming the time of various parties. “Tens of billions of rupiah are wasted, whether on lawyers or, like in my case, my time is lost (being involved),” he continued. “Actually, the issue is simple, because I am certain that Mr Jokowi has an authentic diploma,” he said. “We should just stop this matter by having Mr Jokowi show his original diploma. I am certain of that; that’s all. So that this (ends) and we don’t waste our time,” JK added. He reiterated that the polemic has consumed time and costs, and is sparking divisions in society. “Time is wasted, the costs are high, and divisions occur in society. Pro and contra is division, fighting tooth and nail on TV. That disrupts our national character in that way,” he explained. “Just show it, and it’s done. Just show it to the public, and it’s resolved. I am certain Mr Jokowi will do that because rather than us quarrelling, with groups quarrelling for years, losing time, losing social dignity, losing—that’s what we hope for,” he clarified. JK added that Jokowi certainly does not want his society to be divided because of the ongoing issue.