Rismon Faces Defamation Case Against JK Stemming from Jokowi's Diploma Issue
Digital forensics expert Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar is facing a new development stemming from the issue of alleged fake diplomas of Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
Still holding suspect status despite applying for restorative justice, Rismon now faces the threat of being reported after being said to have accused former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) of being behind the issue.
JK’s camp suddenly held a press conference on Sunday (5/4) to refute the claim. According to JK, he is now being accused of funding the Jokowi diploma issue to the tune of Rp5 billion.
“I say that is definitely and certainly not true,” said JK during the press conference at his residence in Jakarta on Sunday (5/4).
Nevertheless, JK did not mention the party in question. However, JK emphasised that he would report the accusation to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) on Monday (6/4) today for alleged defamation.
He also clarified his meeting with several academics at his residence during Ramadan on 15 March. According to him, the meeting only discussed the state of the nation, not related to the Jokowi diploma issue.
Some of the names present at the meeting included Prof Djohermansyah, Prof Irfan Ridwan Maksum (UI), Prof Aditya Perdana (FISIP UI), Prof Ahmad Fairuz, Lili Romli (BRIN), Prof Hanif (UT), Prof Trubus (Trisakti), and Prof Mulyadi (BRIN).
“That discussion was open, completely open. It was just advice on policies and that was for Mr President (Prabowo). Yes, Mr President (Prabowo),” said Jusuf Kalla.
In response to JK’s plan to file a report, Rismon’s lawyer, Jahmada Girsang, denied that his client accused JK of being behind the Jokowi diploma issue. According to Jahmada, the video clip circulating on social media is the result of Artificial Intelligence (AI) manipulation.
Nevertheless, Jahmada did not reveal his client’s statement in question.
“It was all AI processing, Rismon never mentioned Mr JK’s name,” he told reporters on Sunday (5/4).
According to Jahmada, the statement contested by JK is a hoax. He also declined to comment on JK’s plan to report Rismon.
“Just let it be for now, it’s not that easy to make a report, then the initial evidence submitted will be examined in the SPKT,” he said.
Rismon is one of eight suspects in the alleged defamation behind the Jokowi diploma issue. Recently, he followed in the footsteps of his colleagues Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis by applying for restorative justice and apologising.
Like Eggi and Damai, Rismon also visited Jokowi’s residence in Sumber. After the visit, he conveyed an apology to Jokowi.
“Of course I apologise to the public, especially to the relevant parties like Mr Joko Widodo,” said Rismon after the meeting.
Most recently, the complainant officially stated that they would not pursue the case against Rismon in the jurisdiction of the Metro Jaya Police. However, this decision does not apply to other parties also embroiled in the same polemic.