Jusuf Kalla: Enough Already, Mr Jokowi, Just Show the Diploma

Hot and Cold Between Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla Over Diploma Affair

The drama surrounding the polemic of the alleged fake diploma case is escalating and culminating in a strained relationship between Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK).

JK is extremely annoyed by the accusations from Rismon Sianipar, who claimed that he funded Roy Suryo and associates to question Jokowi’s fake diploma case.

It doesn’t stop there; recently, JK has been reported to the police by several parties for alleged religious blasphemy related to a sermon he delivered at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Mosque on 5 March 2026.

One of the reporters is the General Chairman of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI), Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat, who is also a cadre of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) – a party affiliated with Jokowi.

JK then held a press conference at his residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4) last weekend.

JK suspects that the reports against him on the religious blasphemy issue were triggered after he spoke about Jokowi’s fake diploma issue. However, he is convinced that Jokowi has an authentic diploma as a UGM graduate.

In addition, said JK, the reports were also triggered because he reported Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar for allegedly spreading hoaxes and false news related to Jokowi’s diploma. Rismon has now reversed his stance after initially being the one accusing Jokowi of having a fake diploma.

“I am not accusing it of being political, but this is the reality that it arose after I complained about Rismon and secondly, I said that for two years the people have been in conflict, opposing each other, reporting each other, shouting and demonstrating. Enough already, Mr Jokowi, enough. Just show the diploma. That’s all,” said JK.

However, said JK, that advice was given purely as a senior.

“I am older than him, so as a more senior person, I advise, understand? Many say, especially Mr JK, what is Mr Jokowi lacking from Mr JK that it’s like this? Did I accuse? No. Did I accuse? No. Did I oppose Mr Jokowi? No,” he said.

JK then vented his frustration with the Termul [abbreviation for Ternak Mulyono, a derogatory term for Jokowi supporters].

JK reminded that he was one of those who brought Jokowi to Jakarta from Solo to win the Jakarta gubernatorial seat in 2012.

According to him, at that time, PDI Perjuangan General Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri rejected Jokowi. But JK claimed he brought Jokowi to Megawati and promoted him as a ‘good person’.

He said that after winning the regional election and becoming governor, Jokowi met him to express thanks.

“What more do I lack, try? I brought him to Jakarta,” said JK.

“Tell all those termul-termul that Jokowi became President because of me. Without being governor, how could he become President?” he continued in a harsh tone.

Jokowi’s Response

Chairman of the Bara JP DPP Supervisory Board, Utje Gustaf, acknowledged that JK was indeed one of the parties who pushed Jokowi to become Jakarta Governor in 2012.

However, Utje reminded that JK’s support for Jokowi in the 2014 Presidential Election came late.

“Mr JK is one piece of history that helped push Mr Jokowi to become Jakarta Governor in 2012. Regarding Mr JK’s support for Mr Jokowi’s presidential candidacy, it came after the roar of the masses supporting Mr Jokowi’s presidential candidacy,” said Utje as quoted by detikcom on Monday (20/4).

However, Utje then alluded again to JK’s statement about Jokowi ahead of the 2014 Presidential Election.

“Wasn’t there previously a statement from Mr JK that ‘this country will be destroyed if Mr Jokowi becomes president’? But whatever it is, we thank Mr JK for his role, and in the end placed Mr JK as vice president termul after the 2014 presidential election,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jokowi responded calmly to JK who brought up his role in his political career.

“Yes, I am nobody. I am a village person,” said Jokowi in Solo on Monday (20/4).

Furthermore, the father of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka was reluctant to respond to JK’s statement that the country would be destroyed because Jokowi became President.

“It’s not me who judges,” said Jokowi.

Jokowi’s Betrayal

PDIP politician Guntur Romli stated that his party has closed the book on Jokowi. They claim they no longer want to be associated with their former cadre.

“PDI Perjuangan has closed the book on Mr Jokowi, he has been expelled. We no longer want to discuss or be linked with Jokowi,” said Gunrom when contacted on Monday (20/4).

However, he said, JK’s statement implies that Jokowi has indeed betrayed many people who played roles in his political career. Not only to PDIP, but also to others outside the party.

“From Mrs Mega, Mr JK, Mas Hasto Kristiyanto, Mas Ganjar Pranowo, Mas Pramono Anung (in the DKI Pilkada), Mrs Risma, Mr Andika Perkasa, Mas FX Rudy, Mr Ahok as well, and PDI Perjuangan,” said Gunrom.

“And not only to PDI Perjuangan people, but also to Mr Anies Baswedan and Mr Tom Lembong, all of whom have helped Jokowi,” he added.

According to Gunrom, those names are people who contributed to Jokowi’s political career, repaid with betrayal.

“The names I mentioned all contributed greatly to Jokowi’s career, but what was the repayment, betrayal,” said Gunrom.