Projo's Scathing Rebuttal to JK's Claim That Jokowi Became President Because of Him
Jusuf Kalla’s (JK) statement claiming that Joko Widodo (Jokowi) became president because of him has ignited controversy. Pro-Jokowi volunteers, Projo, immediately rebutted it, asserting that Jokowi’s victory was the will of the people.
As compiled by detikcom on Monday (20/4/2026), the statement was made by JK in response to accusations from Rismon Sianipar, who alleged that JK funded the diploma case of Indonesia’s 7th President, Jokowi. In that context, JK alluded to his role behind Jokowi’s political journey.
The Origin of JK’s Statement
This statement was delivered by JK when he was asked about a police report regarding a video of his lecture on ‘dying as a martyr’ at UGM. JK was questioned whether he felt politicised by this case.
Then, JK replied that he did not want to speculate. However, he felt that this issue arose after he reported Rismon Sianipar to the police over the allegations of funding Jokowi’s diploma case.
JK Annoyed by Accusations
JK revealed that he had been contacted several times by Rismon and Roy Suryo, but he always refused, as he wanted to remain neutral, given the ongoing buzz about the fake diploma allegations against Jokowi. He also expressed his annoyance about the prolonged fake diploma issue that has dragged in numerous names.
“This matter with Rismon has involved everyone; I’m accused, Puan is accused, SBY is accused, whoever. It’s just a diversion. So why am I angry? Especially since I’m accused of giving Rp 5 billion, where did I give Rp 5 billion? I don’t even know them, let alone meet them. Here’s the proof from the WhatsApp. I didn’t say that,” said JK during a press conference at his residence in South Jakarta on Saturday (18/4).
JK Claims Role for Jokowi
Amid his annoyance, JK then alluded to his role in Jokowi’s political career. He stated that he was the one who brought Jokowi from Solo to Jakarta and eventually onto the national stage.
JK said he was the one who suggested Jokowi’s name to PDIP Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri for the Jakarta regional head election (pilkada). He even emphasised that Jokowi became Indonesia’s 7th President because of him.
“Tell everyone, from the very beginning, Jokowi became president because of me,” JK asserted firmly.
JK also said that Jokowi became a presidential candidate at that time because he was his vice-presidential running mate. According to him, Megawati would not sign off on Jokowi’s candidacy unless JK was accompanying him.
“Well, after two years as governor, okay, I didn’t interfere, I never came during his governorship. Suddenly he becomes president, I said, ‘Hey, not enough experience yet, don’t, or you’ll ruin the country.’ Ah, but Ibu Mega told me she wouldn’t sign unless I was his vice. That’s it,” he said.
According to JK, at that time Megawati wanted him to guide Jokowi.
“‘Why do I have to be vice, Ma’am?’ ‘Because Pak JK is the most experienced, guide him.’ Oh, I wanted to go back to the village then, back to Makassar, Ibu Mega said ‘Don’t, Pak Yusuf, accompany him. I won’t sign unless it’s Pak Yusuf.’ It wasn’t me who asked, no. Ibu Mega who asked me to accompany because she lacked experience. Understand? So don’t try. Sorry, tell all those buzzers. He wouldn’t become governor if not for me, got it?” JK added.
Projo Rebuts
Projo volunteers immediately dismissed the claim. Through its Secretary General, Freddy Damanik, Projo emphasised that Jokowi became president due to the trust of the people, not an individual’s role.
“We respect Bapak Jusuf Kalla as a national figure who has made real contributions to Indonesia’s democratic journey, including in the 2014 presidential election. However, we assert that Joko Widodo’s victory as President of the Republic of Indonesia is the result of the will and trust of the Indonesian people,” said Projo Secretary General Freddy Alex Damanik in his statement on Sunday (19/4).
Freddy said that democracy is a collective effort of various elements of the nation. He also assessed that Jokowi’s track record was the main factor in public trust.
“Joko Widodo’s success cannot be separated from his leadership track record that emerged from the grassroots, real work, and closeness to the people. This factor is the main foundation of public trust,” he said.
Freddy also alluded to PDIP’s role as the party carrying Jokowi in the 2014 presidential election.
“As a volunteer organisation that has stood from the beginning to safeguard people’s leadership, Projo sees that support from volunteers, political parties like the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and active participation from the wider community are important pillars in that victory,” he stated.
On that basis, Freddy called on all parties to maintain a healthy national narrative and not to claim the democratic process personally.
“Therefore, we call on all parties to maintain a healthy national narrative, not to simplify the democratic process into personal claims, and to continue upholding the spirit of unity. Indonesia’s democracy belongs to the people, and every victory in that process is a collective victory, not an individual’s,” he said.
JK’s Spokesperson Explains Background
JK’s spokesperson, Husain Abdullah, also explained the background of the statement. He said JK is often accused of being ungrateful to Jokowi.
“Pak JK’s explanation, which was delivered in a raised tone, was to convince Jokowi’s loyalists who often narrate that JK is ungrateful even though he was appointed vice president by Jokowi. No gratitude to Jokowi. JK is not emotional either. But JK has long held back from opening up about this,” said Husain when contacted on Sunday (19/4).
Husain said JK finally revealed his role in pushing Jokowi to run in the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election.
“Finally, JK was forced to reveal his role, how he brought Jokowi to Ibu Mega to be nominated as Jakarta Governor. JK realises that later in the presidential contest, many parties were involved. But the initial promotion of Jokowi to Ibu Mega to ‘perform’ in the capital as a Jakarta gubernatorial candidate,