Rismon Sianipar Acknowledges Jokowi's Genuine Diploma: Truth is Painful

Digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar has expressed no fear in acknowledging the authenticity of the diploma of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Sianipar admitted that he was mistaken in previously accusing Jokowi’s diploma of being forged, but stated he was unafraid to correct his allegations despite the painful nature of doing so.

“Yes, it is genuine. Why? Based on my research, that is why I say, ‘truth hurts’. Truth is painful. But it is even more painful for me if I do not reveal this and am dishonest,” Sianipar said at the Vice President’s residence in Jakarta on Friday (13 March 2026).

The author of two books titled “Jokowi’s White Paper” and “Gibran End Game” visited Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to apologise directly. The closed-door meeting between the two lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Speaking to journalists, Sianipar revealed that he had discovered evidence of the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma, namely the presence of “watermarks” and embossed features within the document that demonstrated consistency when compared with photographs of the diploma belonging to Dian Sandi Utama.

Based on further investigation over the past three months, he concluded that there were stempel traces that were not visible in the diploma photograph, which were obtained by incorporating variables of geometric lighting, light intensity and conclusions regarding lens type in the reconstruction of the latest research.

Sianipar was previously a suspect in allegations of forging the diploma of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo. He subsequently issued an apology and clarification through the Balige Academy YouTube channel posted on Wednesday (11 March 2026).