Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Former Minister of Youth and Sports Roy Suryo expressed his delight over Democratic Party's involvement in the polemic surrounding Indonesia's former president Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) fake diploma. He believes that the firm response from the party's top officials signifies that his former party has no connection to this issue.
"I am actually pleased that my former party was implicated, as it prompted a firm response," Roy said during a press conference in South Jakarta on Sunday, August 3, 2025. "For example, one of the High Council members, Syarief Hasan, and one of Partai Demokrat's cadres, Yan Harahap, also provided a strong response. Yan stated, 'Instead of accusing our party, just show your genuine degree,' " he imitated Yan's words.
The polemic regarding the authenticity of the bachelor's degree belonging to the father of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka continues to unfold. Most recently, the Democratic Party is being accused of orchestrating doubts regarding Jokowi's diploma.
This originated from the appearance of the Secretary General of the United Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) Bersatu, Ade Darmawan, on a national TV program discussing Jokowi's degree. Ade himself reported Roy Suryo and his associates to the police for allegedly inciting the issue of Jokowi's fake diploma.
Ade claimed that the mastermind behind the issue is related to the blue attire he was wearing. On a different occasion, the leader of Jokowi's volunteers and Chairman of Solidaritas Merah Putih, Silfester Matutina, mentioned that the blue color points to a political party with a dominant blue identity.
Tempo is still trying to seek clarification from Ade Darmawan and Silfester Matutina regarding the significance of the blue party. On the other hand, Hinca Pandjaitan refused to be associated with the political stance of Roy Suryo in doubting the authenticity of Jokowi's degree.
"There is no connection between what Roy Suryo did and the Democratic Party. It is his personal responsibility. The Democratic Party is not involved at all and has no intention to involve itself in the case of the counterfeit degree," said the member of the House of Representatives Commission on Legal Affairs.
Nevertheless, Roy asserts that he has had no association with the party bearing a red and white star logo for over five years, since he ended his career with the Democrats.
He stated that the raising of the fake diploma issue by his party is purely for academic reasons and is unrelated to party politics. "He (Jokowi) is actually widening the battle with other parties, which is a blessing in my opinion. Please go ahead," he said.
– Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article.