Gadjah Mada State University (UGM) has confirmed its readiness to attend a court-ordered mediation session scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Sleman District Court, Yogyakarta in relation with a civil lawsuit challenging the authenticity of former President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s undergraduate diploma.

The case names seven UGM officials and a former lecturer, Kasmudjo, as defendants. In the previous session, the mediation was abruptly postponed due to the unexpected appearance of a third party seeking to intervene as a co-plaintiff, who failed to provide complete documentation. UGM’s legal team stated it is still considering whether to formally object to the attempted intervention.

“We are ready for the mediation process in accordance with court procedures,” a member of UGM’s legal team on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The diploma controversy has also taken center stage at the national level, drawing the attention of law enforcement and public figures.

On Monday, digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar revealed that he had undergone an extensive examination by Jakarta police, answering 97 questions related to defamation and Indonesia’s electronic information law.

“I was questioned extensively under Articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code and six articles under the ITE Law,” Rismon told reporters.

Earlier this month, former Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo and public figure Tifauzia Tyassuma, also known as Dr. Tifa, were questioned by investigators. Roy raised concerns over the absence of electronic records during the investigation, while Tifa said she had answered 61 questions raised by police investigators.

On the other hand, the National Police has responded to growing criticism from the legal advocacy group ‘Tim Pembela Ulama dan Aktivis’ (TPUA), which has questioned the legality of the police decision to halt the investigation into the case after declaring that the undergraduate diploma of Jokowi was original and valid. TPUA has demanded a special case review and submitted a 26-point objection to the National Police’s Crime investigation Agency (Bareskrim).

“We’ve been working professionally and transparently. All of our actions can be accounted for,” Brigadier General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, Director of General Crimes at Bareskrim, said on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

He added that the internal case review had involved oversight bodies, including the Inspectorate General (Itwasum), the Internal Affairs Division (Propam), and the Legal Division (Divkum) of the National Police. The original diploma, he said, had been returned to President Jokowi after forensic analysis.

“It is up to the diploma owner to present the original document in court if required,” Djuhandhani added.

TPUA, which visited the police headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday, argued that the decision to close the case was made without due process.

“A proper case review must involve both complainant and respondent. This one did not, which renders the process legally flawed,” TPUA deputy chairman, Rizal Fadhillah, said.

As the court prepares to proceed with mediation, the high-profile case continues to fuel political tension and public speculation. The outcome of the session may have significant implications for the former president’s legacy and the country’s legal and academic institutions.