Jokowi on Resurfacing Fake Diploma Allegations: 'Baseless Slander'

March 27, 2025 | 03:13 pm

TEMPO.CO, Solo - The 7th President of Indonesia, Jokowi, dismissed the resurgence of the fake diploma allegations as baseless slander.

The latest claim questioning the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) emerged from an analysis by former Mataram University lecturer, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, in a video uploaded to the Balige Academy YouTube channel on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  

"It's baseless slander that is continuously repeated," said Jokowi when speaking to journalists at his residence in Gang Kutai I, Sumber Village, Banjarsari District, Solo, Central Java, on Thursday, March 27, 2025.  

Jokowi reiterated that UGM, particularly the Dean of the Forestry Faculty, has already clarified the legitimacy of his diploma. Additionally, testimonies from his former classmates have been made public.

"People from UGM have already conveyed it, the Dean of the Forestry Faculty also clearly and firmly conveyed it. Many friends have also conveyed it," he said.  

Addressing the revival of the issue, Jokowi stated that he remains unbothered and unfazed by the accusations. "Well, it's okay. I'm unbothered," he said.  

However, he stressed that the burden of proof lies with those making the allegations. According to him, it is not his responsibility to disprove the claims. "Once again, those who allege it (to be fake) should prove it. I shouldn't be the one asked to prove it. Those who allege it should provide the evidence," he said.  

Previously, social media was once again flooded with discussions about Jokowi’s diploma after Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar cast doubt on its authenticity.

He questioned Jokowi’s diploma and thesis as a UGM graduate, arguing that the validation sheet and thesis cover used the Times New Roman font, which, according to him, was not available in the 1980s and 1990s. Jokowi graduated from UGM’s Forestry Faculty in 1985, and this claim reignited controversy.  

In response, the Dean of the Forestry Faculty at UGM, Sigit Sunarta, expressed regret over the misleading claims made by Rismon, particularly as he himself is an alumnus of UGM’s Electrical Engineering program.

"We regret the misleading information conveyed by a lecturer who should be able to enlighten and educate the public with beneficial information," said Sigit on Friday, March 21, 2025.  

Sigit emphasized that as a lecturer, Rismon should base his conclusions on factual and well-researched methods. Instead of merely scrutinizing Jokowi’s diploma and thesis, Sigit argued that Rismon should have compared them with other diplomas and theses issued by the Forestry Faculty during the same period.

Editor’s Choice: UGM Responds to Font Issue in Jokowi's Diploma Authenticity Allegations

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

BEM UGM Chair Targeted with Threats After TNI Law Protest in Yogyakarta

2 hari lalu

Near Bankrupt After Carrying Out Jokowi's Orders

5 hari lalu

UGM Responds to Font Issue in Jokowi's Diploma Authenticity Allegations

5 hari lalu

Ignoring Tempo Pig's Head Case Means Police Tolerate Terror, Says Legal Expert

6 hari lalu

Aren Farmers to Name Cultured Seed After Former President Jokowi

6 hari lalu

IHSG Trading Halt: How Does the Situation Compare to 1998 Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic?

8 hari lalu

Human Rights Minister: Indonesia's Democracy Index Decline Reflects Jokowi Era, Not Prabowo

15 hari lalu

PDIP Cites Jokowi's Arrogance as Reason for Democracy Index Setback

20 hari lalu

Five Years Since Covid-19: Revisiting Indonesia's Response and Jokowi's Lockdown Rejection

22 hari lalu

Expert: Togetherness of Prabowo, Jokowi, and SBY Could Be the Seed of a Presidential Club

23 hari lalu