Joko Widodo Diploma Case: Plaintiffs Withdraw Allegations, Seek Restorative Justice
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – Several individuals who previously alleged that Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) possessed a fake diploma have begun to retract their statements and seek restorative justice. This development marks a significant shift in a legal case that has been ongoing since April 2025.
Background of the Allegations
The case originated with accusations that President Jokowi’s educational credentials were falsified. Eight individuals were initially named as suspects in a defamation investigation conducted by Polda Metro Jaya. These included Eggi Sudjana, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, Kurnia Tri Rohyani, Damai Hari Lubis, Rustam Effendi, Muhammad Rizal Fadillah, Roy Suryo, and Tifauziah Tyassuma alias Dr. Tifa.
Legal Proceedings and Initial Charges
The investigation, which began in April 2025, divided the suspects into two clusters. The first cluster – Eggi Sudjana, Kurnia Tri Rohyani, Damai Hari Lubis, Rustam Effendi, and Muhammad Rizal Fadillah – faced charges under Articles 310, 311, and 160 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, as well as provisions of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law). The second cluster – Roy Suryo, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, and Tifauziah Tyassuma – were charged under Articles 310, 311, and 32 paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 48 paragraph 1 of the ITE Law, which concerns illegal access to electronic documents.
Shift Towards Restorative Justice
In recent months, several plaintiffs have begun to pursue restorative justice (RJ), a process aimed at reconciliation and repairing harm rather than solely focusing on punishment. Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis were the first to initiate this process, submitting a request for RJ in January 2026 after visiting President Jokowi’s residence in Solo, Central Java.
On January 15, 2026, Polda Metro Jaya officially halted the investigation against Eggi Sudjana and Damai Hari Lubis based on the principles of restorative justice. Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, confirmed the decision, stating it was made “by law based on restorative justice.”
Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar’s Apology and Withdrawal
Following Eggi and Damai, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar similarly applied for restorative justice and publicly apologized to President Jokowi. He retracted his previous claims regarding the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma, stating that his research now confirmed its validity. “There is no digital manipulation… Authenticity is maintained,” Rismon stated after meeting with Jokowi.
Roy Suryo Remains Defiant
Telematics expert Roy Suryo has indicated he is considering following the path of other plaintiffs but has left the final decision to his legal counsel. He maintains that he and Tifauziah Tyassuma (Dr. Tifa) will continue to pursue the case, stating they will not back down “even 0.1 percent.”
(thr/dal)