Jokowi agrees to take oath before testifying in defamation trial

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed to take an oath before testifying in a defamation trial involving allegations that his university diploma was forged, with Roy Suryo and Tifauzia Tyassuma as defendants.

"Are you willing to take an oath?" Presiding Judge Christina Endarwati asked Jokowi at the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

"Yes, I am," Jokowi replied.

Jokowi attended the hearing wearing a brown batik shirt and black cap after being summoned as a witness in the case involving Roy Suryo and physician Tifauzia Tyassuma, also known as Dr. Tifa.

The case concerns allegations of defamation and slander over claims that Jokowi's university diploma was fake.

Before beginning substantive questioning, Judge Christina first verified Jokowi's identity as a witness.

She asked him to confirm the information recorded on his national identity card.

"Does your identity card identify you as Indonesia's seventh president?" Christina asked.

"That's correct," Jokowi replied.

The judge then asked about Jokowi's health before questioning began. He confirmed that he was healthy and ready to testify.

Jokowi subsequently took an oath according to Islamic religious procedures, as required for witness testimony in court.

Christina reminded him to answer every question clearly and firmly during the examination.

"If there is a question, answer it clearly and firmly," Christina said.

The instruction was intended to ensure that judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and other people attending the hearing could hear his testimony clearly.

Prosecutors accuse Roy Suryo of slander and defamation against Jokowi, alleging that he circulated false information about the former president's university diploma.

According to the indictment, Roy Suryo faces charges under Article 433(1) in conjunction with Article 441(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors also included subsidiary charges under Article 35 in conjunction with Article 51(1) of the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law.

They further cited Article 32 in conjunction with Article 48(1) of the electronic transactions law, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Penalty Adjustments.

Dr. Tifa faces separate charges involving alleged slander, defamation and violations of the electronic transactions law.

Her case concerns social media posts alleging that Jokowi's undergraduate diploma was forged.

The primary charge against Dr. Tifa falls under Article 434(1) in conjunction with Article 441(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.

The subsidiary charge cites Article 433(1) in conjunction with Article 441(1) of the same law.

She also faces charges under Article 32 in conjunction with Article 48(1) of the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Penalty Adjustments.

Related news: Jokowi appears in court to testify in fake diploma case

Translator: Siti Nurhaliza, Fauzul Azhim Bin Fakhrurazi
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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