The Certificate Controversy Takes an Unexpected Turn
Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, the suspect in the alleged case of forged certificates for Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has dramatically reversed his position. Rismon now claims that both Jokowi’s certificate and that of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka are authentic.
According to reports published on 14 March 2026, Rismon had submitted a Restorative Justice (RJ) petition regarding the Jokowi certificate case the previous week. He has also met with Jokowi in Solo, Central Java, and issued a formal apology.
“Several days ago or a week ago, the person in question, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, along with his legal counsel, submitted a request for restorative justice facilitation to the investigator,” said Kombes Iman Imannudin, Head of Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Police Headquarters, to journalists on 11 March 2026.
Iman stated that Rismon visited Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on 11 March to inquire about developments in the matter. Metro Jaya Police is currently processing the restorative justice petition submitted by Rismon.
In this case, a total of eight suspects have been named, including Roy Suryo. Police continue to investigate the matter and have held a special case review. On 8 January 2026, Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis visited Jokowi’s residence in Solo. Following their meeting, Jokowi expressed hope that the case would be resolved through restorative justice. Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis subsequently submitted an RJ petition to the police, which was acted upon and eventually resulted in the case being closed.
Consequently, the case now involves only six remaining suspects, divided into two clusters. The first cluster consists of three suspects: Kurnia Tri Rohyani, Rustam Effendi, and Muhammad Rizal Fadillah. The second cluster comprises three suspects: Roy Suryo, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, and Tifauzia Tyassuma, also known as Dr Tifa.
Rismon currently remains a suspect. He is subject to mandatory reporting to Metro Jaya Police Headquarters. “Coordination with the investigator can be arranged for specific reasons, such as mandatory reporting during Eid,” said Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations at Metro Jaya Police Headquarters, to journalists on 13 March. “Mandatory reporting serves to monitor individuals with suspect status.”
After submitting his restorative justice petition, Rismon met with Jokowi in Solo on 12 March. Rismon arrived accompanied by his legal counsel, Jahmada Girsang. Rismon wore a black shirt with jeans. Upon arrival, Rismon met directly with Jokowi for a closed meeting.
Rismon stated that the purpose of his visit was to apologise to Jokowi. “Of course, I also apologise to the public, and especially to the parties involved, such as Mr Joko Widodo. This is the responsibility of a researcher who must be independent, who is willing to be criticised and insulted by narratives created as people wish, even though those narratives cannot be scientifically substantiated,” he said after meeting Jokowi.
Jokowi confirmed that he has met with Rismon Sianipar, the suspect accused of promoting claims of forged certificates. Jokowi stated that he has forgiven Rismon. “Yes, Mr Rismon Sianipar came to my residence yesterday and I received his apology,” Jokowi said on 13 March.
Jokowi indicated that he has handed over the legal matter of the forged certificate allegations to his legal adviser. He has delegated the restorative justice process to his lawyer and the police. “Regarding the restorative justice matter, I will leave that to my legal adviser, as it is within the jurisdiction of Metro Jaya Police Headquarters and the investigators at Metro Jaya Police,” he stated.
Rismon now declares that both Jokowi’s and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s certificates are authentic. He plans to explain his findings in a book currently being written.
The certificate controversy involving Jokowi and Gibran, which Rismon had previously claimed were forged in two of his publications titled ‘Jokowi’s White Paper’ and ‘Gibran End Game’, has now been refuted by Rismon himself. He claims to have conducted further investigation.
This statement came after Rismon met with Vice President Gibran at the Vice President’s official residence in Jakarta. Rismon also issued a direct apology. “Yes, they are authentic. Why? Based on my research, I can say that truth hurts. Truth is painful. But it is even more painful for me if I do not disclose it and am not honest,” Rismon said.
Rismon claims to have conducted further investigation over the past three months. He asserts that he has discovered evidence of the authenticity of Jokowi’s certificate, specifically the presence of watermarks and embossed features in the document that demonstrate consistency with photographs of a certificate belonging to Dian Sandi Utama.
He acknowledged that the discovery of stamp traces not visible in the certificate photograph was obtained by incorporating variables of geometric lighting, light intensity, and conclusions regarding lens type in the reconstruction of his latest research. “I have identified three main features: emboss in the bottom left corner, watermark present, and features consistent with what was uploaded by Dian Sandi Utama. Do not say it does not exist; it makes me sad,” Rismon stated.
Rismon informed Gibran that he would write a thesis countering his previous works ‘Jokowi’s White Paper’ and ‘Gibran End Game’. He claims the writing of this book will take approximately six months, with publication expected within the current year.
“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 requested permission to complete this in my hometown of Balige. I will publish it,” he said.