Hello reader,

Even during his presidency, Joko Widodo had to deal with allegations that he faked his diploma from the esteemed Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta. Now, those allegations are back and Jokowi is nearing a tipping point.

The fallout from somebody with an illegitimate diploma landing the country’s top job would be massive, to say the least. Unless Jokowi puts down the accusations once and for all, this looks likely to continue to haunt him.

So how did the allegations come about? Read on for the deets.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics  

• Former President Joko Widodo was confronted at his Solo, Central Java residence today by a group calling themselves the “Ulema and Activist Defenders Team” (TPUA), who demanded he show his original university diploma. Jokowi met the group, describing their visit as a form of silaturahmi (friendly visit), but firmly stated that he has no obligation to comply with their request, emphasizing that Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has officially confirmed his alumni status. He also criticized the long-standing accusations that he faked his diploma as defamatory and said he is considering taking legal action over what he views as slander and character assassination.

• The accusations stem mainly from supposed discrepancies in images of Jokowi’s diploma that had circulated online. One alleged discrepancy centered over the use of the Times New Roman font, which some claim didn’t exist in the 1980s. UGM Forestry Faculty Dean Sigit Sunarta clarified that similar fonts were commonly used for printed covers and approval pages from local shops near campus. Questions also arose over Jokowi’s diploma serial number, which lacked clusters—Sigit explained this was due to the faculty’s own numbering system at the time.

• A Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG) kitchen in Kalibata, South Jakarta, has ceased operations since late March 2025 due to alleged embezzlement of nearly IDR 1 billion in operational funds by Yayasan Media Berkat Nusantara (MBN), the program’s fund manager. Operator Ira Mesra, who had supplied over 65,000 meals under MBG, claimed she hadn’t received any funding from MBN despite the foundation receiving IDR 386.5 million from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). The case raises concerns over accountability and transparency in social aid programs, prompting calls for BGN to intervene.

• Famed lawyer Hotma Sitompoel passed away today at age 68. Born on November 30, 1956, and a graduate of UGH, Hotma began his legal career at Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH), led by Adnan Buyung Nasution, before founding his own pro bono legal aid institution, LBH Mawar Saron, in 2002. He also established the law firm Hotma Sitompoel & Associates. Throughout his career, he handled several high-profile cases, including the 2015 Bali child murder case, where he represented the victim’s mother, and legal disputes involving celebrities such as Raffi Ahmad and Rizky Billar.

• MSF, an obstetrician suspected of sexually assaulting patients at a clinic in Garut, West Java, has been arrested. Police apprehended MSF in Garut yesterday, and he is now in custody at the Garut Police for investigation. So far, two victims have officially reported him via complaint posts set up by local police. MSF is accused of inappropriately touching pregnant patients during ultrasound exams, with viral CCTV footage showing his hand moving toward a patient’s chest during the procedure.

Business/Economy

• The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has announced the winners of the second phase of the 2024 direct oil and gas working area (WK Migas) tender. Five blocks were awarded: Kojo, Binaiya, Serpang, Gaea, and Gaea II, with total committed investment for the first three years of exploration reaching USD 21.7 million (IDR 365 billion). Acting Director General of Oil and Gas Tri Winarno said these results show Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas sector remains attractive, supported by improved regulations, contractor incentives, and more favorable contract terms.

• The National Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that as of August 2024, university graduates earned an average monthly salary of IDR 4.96 million, significantly higher than those with only a high school (IDR 3.09 million) or primary school education (IDR 1.87 million). The highest-paying roles for university graduates were in leadership, averaging IDR 9.94 million, while other fields such as administrative (IDR 4.83 million), sales (IDR 5.77 million), and services (IDR 6.63 million) also had notable earnings. Agricultural jobs saw a drop in average salary from IDR 5.68 million to IDR 4.74 million, reflecting sector-specific trends.

• As of December 2024, nearly one million mobile users in Indonesia have switched to embedded SIM (eSIM), according to data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital. Telkomsel leads with around 300,000 eSIM users, followed by Indosat, XL, and Smart. The government has recently introduced regulations to accelerate eSIM adoption, though migration is not mandatory. The goal is to enhance security and reduce identity fraud.

• The ministry also confirmed that the finalization of regulations for utilizing the 1.4 GHz frequency band to support affordable internet services with speeds up to 100 Mbps and a price of IDR 100,000 is nearing completion. The ministry is scheduling meetings with industry stakeholders, including telecom operators and ISPs, to ensure national spectrum harmonization. The 1.4 GHz band is part of a broader national spectrum roadmap, including 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz. The regulation is expected to launch by the second quarter of 2025.

Everything Else

• Garuda Indonesia flight GA288 saw its tire detach during landing at Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands today. The flight, originating from Jakarta, carried 161 passengers, including 8 in business class and 153 in economy. Fortunately, all passengers were safe. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. The return flight to Jakarta was delayed as a result of the incident.

• Volleyball superstar Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi has officially joined Gresik Petrokimia Pupuk Indonesia ahead of the 2025 Proliga Final Four. Megawati, who recently left South Korea's Red Sparks to be closer to her mother back home, was observed by Gresik Petrokimia for her physical condition before the club finalized her recruitment. Despite the move, Megawati’s participation in the Final Four, to be held form Thursday to Sunday, remains uncertain due to her recovery from injury.