Lawyer Confirms Jokowi Will Attend Defamation Trial, Ready to Show Diplomas
The first trial for the defendant accused of defamation and libel against the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Tifauzia Tyassuma, also known as dr Tifa, took place at the East Jakarta District Court today. Jokowi’s legal counsel, Yakup Hasibuan, stated that his client is prepared to attend the subsequent hearings.
“Yesterday, we met directly with Mr Jokowi, and he expressed his readiness to attend,” said Yakup following dr Tifa’s hearing at the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday (2/7/2026).
Yakup noted that Jokowi is prepared to present his diploma to the public during the upcoming trial. dr Tifa stands as the defendant facing allegations that Jokowi’s undergraduate diploma from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is fraudulent.
“Naturally, it is an honour for him to be able to present his diploma in this very respected and valid forum,” he stated.
Yakup explained that Jokowi has frequently been targeted by various narratives from irresponsible parties. Consequently, he intends to present the evidence directly in the courtroom.
“We now have the opportunity to present the diploma in this honourable forum, and Mr Jokowi respects that and is looking forward to that moment,” he added.
Yakup further noted that Jokowi’s undergraduate diploma has already been seized. He stated that the responsibility now lies with the prosecutors to present the document and bring Jokowi to court.
“That is correct, because the seized diplomas include his high school and UGM credentials, so the public prosecutor will certainly present those, and Mr Jokowi will show them all. Furthermore, there are plans to bring his primary and lower secondary school diplomas as well, to ensure there are no further disputes,” he said.
“There is a fear that if only the UGM diploma is shown, some people who are dissatisfied may try to discredit it by questioning his primary school diploma. Therefore, Mr Jokowi wants the matter resolved once and for all,” he continued.
Yakup added that his team is awaiting the presiding judges’ schedule regarding when Jokowi will be called to testify.
“We will wait for the judges’ schedule; based on our experience, there may be an exception next week, followed by an interlocutory decision a week later, before moving into the evidentiary stage. This may take about 3 to 4 weeks from now,” he said.
Charged with Defamation and Libel
dr Tifa is charged with the criminal acts of defamation and libel against the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, over allegations of a fake diploma. The allegations made by dr Tifa circulated on the internet, social media, and talk shows, but lacked valid proof.
Prosecutors stated that Jokowi was registered as a student at the UGM Faculty of Forestry on 28 July 1980. Furthermore, UGM issued an undergraduate forestry diploma, number 1120, dated 5 November 1965, in the name of Joko Widodo.
“The witness Jokowi’s undergraduate diploma exists, is authentic, and has been clearly confirmed by Gadjah Mada University and the relevant authorities. Legal counsel also reminds the public not to spread accusations and fake news claiming that the witness’s undergraduate diploma is counterfeit,” the prosecutor stated at the East Jakarta District Court.
dr Tifa alleged several irregularities in Jokowi’s diploma, ranging from the cover design and graduation photo to the UGM alumni book, as well as Jokowi’s mention of the late Professor Achmad Soemitro as his thesis supervisor. Due to these claims, Jokowi considers the posts an attack on his honour and reputation.
“As a result of the Defendant’s actions, the Witness has suffered non-material losses, namely the defamation of his personal reputation,” the prosecutor said.
“Therefore, the Defendant’s actions constitute an attack on the honour of the Witness, Joko Widodo, using information technology,” they added.
dr Tifa faces primary charges under Article 434 paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 441 paragraph 1 and Article 126 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), and subsidiary charges under Article 433 paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 441 paragraph 1 and Article 126 paragraph 1 of the KUHP.
Additionally, the defendant faces a second primary charge under Article 434 paragraph 1 of the KUHP, and subsidiary charges under Article 310 paragraph 1 of the KUHP, or Article 35 in conjunction with Article 51 paragraph (1) and/or Article 32 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 48 paragraph (1) of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law No. 11 of 2008, in conjunction with Article 126 paragraph (1) of the KUHP, or Article 32 in conjunction with Article 48 paragraph 1 of the ITE Law in conjunction with Article 126 paragraph (1) of the KUHP.