Rismon Acknowledges Jokowi and Gibran's Diplomas as Authentic, Will Release Antithesis Book

Jakarta — Researcher and digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar has affirmed the authenticity of the diplomas of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka through an antithesis book that is currently being written and will be published.

The diploma controversy surrounding Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Gibran, which had previously been disputed through Rismon’s two books titled “Jokowi’s White Paper” and “Gibran End Game”, has now been refuted by Rismon after conducting further and more thorough investigation.

This was conveyed by Rismon after meeting with Vice President Gibran at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, and offering a direct apology.

“Yes, they are authentic. Why? Based on my research, that’s why I say, ‘truth hurts’. Truth is painful. But what I feel is even more painful if I don’t reveal it and am dishonest,” Rismon told media at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

Based on further investigation over the past three months, Rismon discovered evidence of the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma, namely the presence of watermarks and emboss features and other characteristics in the document that showed consistency when compared to the diploma photograph uploaded by Dian Sandi Utama.

He acknowledged that the discovery of stamp traces not visible in the diploma photograph was obtained by incorporating variables of geometric lighting, light intensity and conclusions regarding lens type in reconstruction in his latest research.

“I have identified three main features: emboss in the bottom left corner, watermark is present, and the features are consistent with what was uploaded by Dian Sandi Utama. Don’t say there isn’t any, it saddens me,” Rismon said.

To refute the accusation of a forged diploma in the two books he wrote, Rismon informed Gibran that he would write an antithesis book to “Jokowi’s White Paper” and “Gibran End Game”.

“I did tell the Vice President that I will write a correction to my incomplete research: Jokowi’s White Paper and Gibran End Game. And I asked permission to complete it in my hometown in Balige. I will publish it,” he said.

He added that writing the book would take at least six months, so it is expected to be published later this year.