Former Indonesian president Joko Widodo and his son, Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, are both embroiled in controversies over their academic qualifications. Widodo, widely known as Jokowi, recently testified in court and publicly displayed his original academic certificates to directly counter allegations that he had falsified his qualifications.
The Jakarta Globe reported that Jokowi appeared at the Jakarta District Court on Thursday (5 November) as a witness in a defamation-related trial. With the judge's permission, he presented all his certificates, from primary, junior secondary and senior secondary school through to Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
The rare and closely watched hearing was broadcast live by Indonesia's major television stations. Jokowi's personal presentation of his certificates marked a dramatic moment in the controversy.
Jokowi told the court that rumours about his allegedly falsified qualifications had intensified, describing the spreading of such rumours as “completely out of line”.
He and his lawyers subsequently filed police reports against several people suspected of spreading the rumours. Prosecutors later brought criminal proceedings against former youth and sports minister Roy Suryo and social and health activist Tifauzia Tyassuma over alleged defamation, slander and violations of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. The two cases are being heard separately.
Jokowi told the judge: ““I felt deeply insulted and humiliated……I was also accused of using a forged diploma to run for mayor twice, governor once and president twice.”
Jokowi served two consecutive terms as mayor of Solo in Central Java before becoming governor of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, and later won two presidential elections. He has repeatedly denied falsifying his qualifications, and UGM has also confirmed that his degree certificate is authentic and valid.
Thousands of Jokowi's supporters also gathered outside the court on Thursday to show their support. The authorities deployed more than 6,000 law enforcement personnel to maintain order.
Meanwhile, Jakarta appears to be on alert following the recent eruption of a major wiretapping scandal involving senior figures in Indonesian politics and the police. The Indonesian military recently mobilised nearly 21,000 personnel for Jakarta, with 7,840 already deployed and another 13,140 on standby.
Analysts said the unusually large deployment of troops to the capital was most likely intended to address escalating political tensions triggered by the wiretapping scandal, including possible demonstrations.
A military spokesperson said the mobilisation is intended to maintain security and national sovereignty, while preparing troops and personnel for possible “developments” in the capital.
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said there had been no worrying developments in Jakarta's security situation.
Presidential chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo and two senior police officers were named as suspects on Tuesday (3 November) over alleged illegal wiretapping of Prabowo Subianto and senior government officials. They are currently in detention. The presidential palace said the serious acts targeting the head of state “may constitute treason”.
Listyo has now been dismissed. He was appointed national police chief in 2021 and is regarded as a close ally of Jokowi. Analysts said the wiretapping scandal would exacerbate tensions between Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi and could trigger wider political turmoil.
