Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla personally visited the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the National Police on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to advance a legal complaint against Rismon Sianipar. The visit marks a direct escalation in a dispute involving allegations that Kalla funded Roy Suryo and other associates to spread misinformation regarding the academic credentials of the seventh Indonesian president, Joko Widodo.
Kalla, who served as the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, arrived at the Bareskrim headquarters around 11:00 WIB. Accompanied by his legal counsel, who had arrived earlier to coordinate the proceedings, the former statesman remained brief with the press upon his arrival. When asked about the purpose of his visit, Kalla stated simply, “Mau melapor” (I seek to report).
The move follows an initial report filed on Monday, April 6, by Kalla’s attorney, Abdul Haji Talaohu. While the legal process had already been initiated via counsel, Kalla’s personal appearance at Bareskrim suggests a desire to ensure the investigation into the alleged “diploma hoax” funding claims is handled with urgency and precision.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
The conflict centers on claims made by Rismon Sianipar, who has alleged that Jusuf Kalla provided financial backing to Roy Suryo and others to challenge the authenticity of President Joko Widodo’s university degree. These allegations have circulated within specific digital circles, fueling long-standing controversies surrounding the president’s academic background.
Kalla’s legal team is treating these claims as a targeted campaign of defamation and misinformation. According to Abdul Haji Talaohu, the initial steps of the reporting process have already been completed, including meetings with investigators and the submission of primary evidence.
“Jadi penting hari ini sesuai dengan rencana kami sudah melaporkan Rismon, sudah bertemu dengan penyidik, sudah ini, sudah menyerahkan. Soal administrasi itu (LP) teknis saja nanti,” Talaohu explained during a press briefing on Monday. (Translation: “It is important that today, as planned, we have reported Rismon, met with investigators, and submitted [the evidence]. The administrative matters of the police report are merely technical details.”)
Targeting Digital Misinformation Channels
Beyond the individual report against Sianipar, Kalla’s legal strategy extends to the platforms that amplified the allegations. The legal team is currently preparing formal complaints against four specific YouTube channels and several individual YouTubers who disseminated the claims.
The delay in filing these specific digital reports is attributed to the need for comprehensive data verification. Talaohu indicated that his team is currently finalizing the evidence required to link the content creators directly to the spread of the hoax.
“Selain Rismon, ada beberapa akun YouTube dan YouTuber yang juga kami apa namanya, akan lakukan pengaduan karena ini beberapa data yang harus kami lengkapi dan secepatnya kami akan masukin pengaduan,” Talaohu stated. (Translation: “Besides Rismon, there are several YouTube accounts and YouTubers that we will likewise file complaints against, as there is some data we need to complete, and we will submit the complaints as soon as possible.”)
Legal Framework and the New Criminal Code
The legal basis for the complaint rests on the newly implemented Indonesian Criminal Code. Kalla’s team is citing Law Number 1 of 2023, specifically Articles 263 and 264, which deal with the falsification of documents and the creation of fraudulent information.
The application of the new KUHP (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana) reflects a shift in how the Indonesian state handles forgery and misinformation, providing updated parameters for what constitutes a criminal offense in the digital age. By invoking these specific articles, Kalla’s team aims to prove that the allegations regarding the funding of Roy Suryo were not merely opinions but deliberate fabrications intended to damage a public figure’s reputation.
| Date | Action Taken | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2026 | Initial Report Filed | Attorney Abdul Haji Talaohu submits report against Rismon Sianipar. |
| April 8, 2026 | Personal Appearance | JK visits Bareskrim Polri at 11:00 WIB to report directly. |
| Pending | Digital Filings | Formal complaints against four YouTube channels awaiting data completion. |
Implications for Public Discourse
The case highlights the ongoing tension between digital freedom of speech and the legal protections against defamation in Indonesia. The involvement of a high-profile figure like Jusuf Kalla brings significant scrutiny to how Bareskrim Polri manages cases involving “hoax” allegations, particularly when they intersect with the political history of the nation’s presidency.
For the stakeholders involved, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the new 2023 Criminal Code is applied to digital content creators and those who fund or incite the spread of contested narratives regarding state officials.
Disclaimer: This report covers ongoing legal proceedings. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The next phase of the process will involve the formal summons of Rismon Sianipar for questioning by Bareskrim investigators. Further updates are expected once the legal team completes the evidentiary filings for the targeted YouTube channels.
Do you have thoughts on the intersection of digital content and the new Criminal Code? Share your perspective in the comments below.
