Researcher Admits Flawed Diploma Verification Study, Apologises to Jokowi

Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar acknowledged making errors whilst verifying the authenticity of the credentials of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo. He has since corrected his research findings, which were originally published in his book Jokowi’s White Paper.

Rismon stated that he conducted follow-up research after the publication of Jokowi’s White Paper. The results of this subsequent investigation contradicted the conclusions presented in the book.

“As an independent researcher with a responsibility to be unbiased and without any political affiliation, a researcher must be able to acknowledge their mistakes and correct their own findings,” said Rismon following his meeting with Jokowi at his residence in Sumber, Solo, Central Java, on Thursday, 12 March.

Rismon emphasised that his research employed standard digital forensics methodology.

“I can confirm the methodology, and it can serve as a learning case for government departments and university courses,” he stated.

However, the validity of research findings is not determined solely by the methodology employed. Rismon noted that obtaining accurate research results requires the correct subject matter.

In his research for Jokowi’s White Paper, Rismon used a photograph of the diploma that was uploaded by PSI cadre Dian Sandi Utama. Rismon explained that the photograph had undergone distortion due to the angle of capture and lighting conditions.

“The critical error I made was failing to apply geometric operations or variables to reach my conclusion, such as translation or shifting operations, rotation or turning, and lighting adjustments,” he said.

Following the publication of Jokowi’s White Paper, Rismon conducted follow-up research. Based on these findings, he concluded that there were no irregularities in Jokowi’s diploma.

“There is no digital manipulation as I concluded in Jokowi’s White Paper. What does this mean? Its authenticity is preserved,” Rismon stated.

He also apologised to Jokowi for the allegations of a forged diploma.

“Of course, I apologise to the public, and especially to the relevant party such as Bapak Joko Widodo,” he said.