Polda explains reasons behind prolonged handling of Jokowi's diploma case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Metro Jaya Police stated that the handling of the case alleging a fake diploma of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), appears prolonged because it must uphold professionalism and accommodate every legal event occurring during the investigation process. “Thus, the investigation process carried out by the investigators of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police can be accounted for scientifically,” said the Director of General Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Pol. Iman Imanuddin, during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday. Iman also dismissed any obstacles in the investigation process of the case, which has been ongoing for approximately one year. “Up to today, we investigators have not encountered any obstacles in the investigation process,” he said. In line with that, the Head of Public Relations of Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Pol. Budi Hermanto, stated that the investigators of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate have not faced obstacles but respect public spaces, such as the principle of equality before the law. “Everyone has equal status before the law. There is a request from the suspect’s side to present witnesses who lighten the case, there are expert witnesses,” he said. Regarding the mechanism of restorative justice, Budi stated that the key lies with the parties involved. If the parties agree to pursue the restorative justice mechanism, the State provides space based on the law. “They are permitted to pursue that restorative justice mechanism. And it can be implemented either in the investigation process at the police, then in the prosecution process at the prosecutor’s office, or in the trial process at the court,” he said. He also added that law enforcement is not solely oriented towards punishment but must also be able to provide fair, calming, and restorative resolutions. “When peace has been achieved, sincere apologies have been conveyed, and forgiveness has been granted by the aggrieved party, then the restorative justice approach becomes a legal path that should be prioritised. Polri is present as the guardian of life, builder of civilisation, and fighter for humanity,” he said.