Rismon acknowledges Jokowi's diploma is authentic; PSI calls it a positive resolution

Jakarta — The secretary general of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) central leadership, Raja Juli Antoni, has assessed Rismon Sianipar’s acknowledgement that seventh President Joko Widodo’s diploma is authentic as part of a positive resolution to the dispute.

“I think this is part of a good resolution to the problem,” said Raja Juli at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday.

Raja Juli stated that Rismon’s actions as a citizen deserve appreciation, as it is every citizen’s right to express their views. According to him, Rismon has also made a public apology to the general public as well as to Jokowi and his family.

He assessed that such steps create a positive atmosphere, especially given the timing during Ramadan, which he views as a propitious month.

“I think this is good, a positive atmosphere, in a good month, on a good day, in Ramadan,” he said.

Raja Juli also expressed hope that others previously involved in similar controversies will follow the same course of action.

“I hope others will soon repent as well,” he said.

Based on further examination over the last 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 with photographs of the diploma belonging to Dian Sandi Utama.

He acknowledged that the discovery of traces of a stamp that were not visible in the photograph of the diploma were obtained by incorporating variables of geometric lighting, light intensity and conclusions about the type of lens used in the reconstruction in recent research.

Rismon, who was named a suspect on charges of presenting a fake diploma to Jokowi, has also submitted an apology and provided clarification through the Balige Academy YouTube channel, uploaded on Wednesday (11 March).

“Of course, I also apologise to the public. Especially to the relevant parties such as Mr Joko Widodo; this is a researcher’s responsibility to remain independent, to be open to criticism and insult, with whatever narratives people wish to construct,” he said.