Rismon Apologises to Jokowi; PSI States Diploma Fraud Allegation Completely Unfounded
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PSI) has responded positively to Rismon Sianipar’s apology to former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka concerning the diploma controversy. PSI stated that Rismon’s allegation regarding Jokowi’s diploma was completely unfounded.
“We welcome Rismon Sianipar’s acknowledgement that his allegation that President Jokowi’s diploma was fraudulent was completely unfounded. Truth will find its way,” said PSI General Secretary Raja Juli Antoni in a written statement on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Raja invited Rismon to pursue restorative justice, stating that such steps represent citizens’ rights.
“Please do so. We will leave it entirely to law enforcement authorities to address,” he said.
Raja conveyed that Rismon’s apology was evidence that truth would prevail, and expressed hope that Jokowi would be increasingly honoured by the matter.
“God does not sleep. May President Jokowi be increasingly honoured by this situation,” he concluded.
Rismon’s Apology
The suspect in the case of allegations that former President Joko Widodo’s diploma was fraudulent, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, issued an apology. He met with Jokowi at his residence in Solo.
Previously, Rismon uploaded a video of his apology to Jokowi and Gibran. Rismon initially claimed to have discovered new evidence regarding Jokowi’s diploma, which had previously been accused of being fraudulent.
“Based on the results of my current research, which represents a continuation of my previous research, I have discovered new evidence regarding President Joko Widodo’s diploma,” said Rismon, as seen in a YouTube video from Balige Academy on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Rismon stated he was withdrawing from the matter of allegations concerning Jokowi’s and Gibran’s diplomas. He will publish a rebuttal to books about Jokowi and Gibran that he had authored.
“With this, I am withdrawing from the issues related to President Joko Widodo’s diploma, including President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s diploma. I will respond by producing an antithesis to my books ‘Jokowi Paper’ and ‘Gibran End Game’, which are my writings and my responsibility. And I will make every effort to withdraw these books that have already been distributed,” he stated.
He claimed to have no interest in politics and felt he had been exploited by certain parties regarding the diploma controversy involving Jokowi and Gibran.
“From the beginning, I have had no interest in politics, so with this I am removing myself from all political contests that might be related to President Joko Widodo’s and President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s diplomas. From this moment onwards, as I feel I have been exploited by parties who have raised issues concerning President Joko Widodo’s and President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s diplomas,” he said.
Rismon assessed that the National Police had handled the Jokowi diploma controversy professionally. He declared his readiness to assist the police in educating the public if needed.
“The National Police have handled the matter of President Joko Widodo’s diploma professionally, and I hereby declare my readiness to assist the National Police in every step going forward to educate the public regarding whatever is necessary and needed,” he explained.
Rismon then issued an apology to Jokowi and Gibran, hoping his apology would be accepted.
“From the depths of my heart, for the sake of honesty and objectivity in research on this matter, I hereby apologise to President Joko Widodo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. I greatly hope that President Joko Widodo will accept my apology, and I am willing to state this directly before President Joko Widodo in Solo, and I am also pursuing restorative justice to resolve my legal issues,” Rismon said.
Furthermore, Rismon appealed to other parties involved in the controversy to open their hearts and minds, hoping they would follow his lead in pursuing restorative justice.
“I appeal once again to other parties involved in this matter to open their hearts and minds so that they can follow the steps I am taking,” he urged.
Gibran’s Response
Gibran responded to Rismon’s apology, viewing the apology issued during Ramadan as timely and an opportunity to rebuild bonds of brotherhood.
“Ramadan is a very good month for forgiving one another and rebuilding bonds of brotherhood,” said Gibran in a written statement issued by the Office of the Vice President’s Press, Media and Information Bureau on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Gibran appreciated Rismon’s statement and stance in providing clarification and his willingness to reconsider his previous public statements. He assessed these actions as demonstrating maturity in practising democracy.