LIPI Researcher Backs Roy Suryo’s Jokowi Degree Research as Scientifically Sound
- Jakarta – A senior researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Mohammad Sobary, has publicly defended the research conducted by Roy Suryo and others regarding the academic...
- “I am a scientist, an expert in culture, a scientist is an expert in methodology because I am a retired researcher at LIPI,” Sobary told reporters.
- The research, which has sparked considerable controversy, centers on questions surrounding the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma from Gadjah Mada University.
Jokowi Diploma Research Defended as Scientific, Within Academic Freedom
Jakarta – A senior researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Mohammad Sobary, has publicly defended the research conducted by Roy Suryo and others regarding the academic credentials of former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Sobary, who previously supported Jokowi, testified on , asserting the scientific validity of the work.
“I am a scientist, an expert in culture, a scientist is an expert in methodology because I am a retired researcher at LIPI,” Sobary told reporters. “Under oath, I guarantee that the research conducted by Dr. Tifa, Dr. Rismon, and Kanjeng Roy is scientifically accountable, and I guarantee that responsibility.”
The research, which has sparked considerable controversy, centers on questions surrounding the authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma from Gadjah Mada University. Sobary maintained that the investigation took place within the bounds of academic freedom, a space where legal regulations do not apply to scientific inquiry.
“They did not violate any legal rules, nor did they violate any ethical or moral rules,” Sobary stated. “They are conveying the truth to educate the Indonesian people to become knowledgeable in the field of science. These three figures are speaking in the role of intellectuals.”
The defense of the research comes amidst scrutiny and legal challenges. Roy Suryo himself was recently named a suspect in connection with the case. According to reports from , Jakarta police charged Suryo with spreading false claims about Jokowi’s university diploma. Evidence reportedly showed Suryo and others manipulated digital images of the diploma using non-scientific methods to support their claims.
Despite the legal challenges, Sobary insists the research was conducted responsibly. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between the right to question public figures and the potential for misinformation. The authenticity of Jokowi’s diploma was confirmed by the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) on , after comparing it to diplomas of his colleagues from the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University.
The controversy extends beyond Suryo’s legal troubles. Reports from , indicate Roy Suryo suggested the Democratic Party may have been involved in the dissemination of claims questioning Jokowi’s diploma, alleging that Jokowi intentionally implicated the party through veiled references to a “big figure” and the color blue, associated with the Democratic Party. Suryo further claimed that a member of the PSI party, Dian Sandi, was the first to publicly post a color image of the diploma, raising questions about the source of the document.
The situation remains complex, with accusations of manipulation and political motivations swirling around the issue. While the police have affirmed the diploma’s authenticity, the debate continues to fuel discussion about transparency, accountability, and the limits of academic inquiry in the public sphere. Sobary’s defense underscores the importance of protecting academic freedom, even when the research challenges established narratives.