7 Jokowi Supporters Reported, Roy Suryo's Legal Representative: This Is Also a Test of Consistency of Law in the New Criminal Code Era

JAKARTA - Roy Suryo's legal team reported seven people who were referred to as supporters of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to the Polda Metro Jaya for alleged defamation and slander. The report is considered a test of the application of the principle of equality before the law in the midst of the implementation of the new Criminal Code (KUHP) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP) which has been in force since January 2, 2026.

This was conveyed by Roy Suryo's lawyer, Ahmad Khozinudin. He emphasized that although the new Criminal Code had replaced the old Criminal Code, the criminal provisions related to insults, defamation, and assault on honor were still maintained, even expanded.

"Everyone, whoever he is, must not insult, slander, or attack the honor of anyone, by any means, including through social media," Khozinudin told the media at the Polda Metro Jaya, Thursday, January 8, 2026.

According to Khozinudin, the report submitted by Roy Suryo is also intended to test the consistency of law enforcement officials, especially the Metro Jaya Police. He compared the police's quick handling of Jokowi's report on April 30, 2025, which resulted in the establishment of eight suspects in November 2025.

"We want to see whether our client's report will be treated equally. Not only will a police report be issued, but it will also be followed up to the investigation, investigation, and determination of suspects if the evidence is sufficient," he said.

Khozinudin added, unlike Jokowi's report which initially only reported the incident without mentioning the name of the person reported, Roy Suryo explicitly listed the names of the seven people reported. This step, according to him, shows the attitude of a knight so that the legal process does not widen and drag other parties that are not related.

He also assessed the statements of the respondents as frontal and vulgar, so that they clearly attacked Roy Suryo's honor and dignity.

"This is not a context for research or scientific study. This is pure insult and an attack on dignity. It does not require experts to assess it," he said.

Meanwhile, another member of Roy Suryo's advocacy team, Abdul Gafur Sangaji, highlighted the momentum of the new law with the enactment of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code and Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code. According to him, this case is an important legal event at the beginning of 2026.

"Previously, President Jokowi reported that Mas Roy used the old Criminal Code, now Mas Roy has reported seven people using the new Criminal Code, especially Article 433 paragraph (2) and Article 434 paragraph (1)," said Abdul Gafur.

He explained that in the new Criminal Code, protection of the honor and dignity of citizens was regulated more broadly, with five special articles regarding defamation and slander. Therefore, Roy Suryo's report was submitted purely in his capacity as a citizen, not in his position as a suspect in another case.

"I emphasize, this report was filed not because of Mas Roy's position as a suspect, but as a citizen who has rights and is protected by the constitution and the law," he added.

Abdul Gafur explained that the seven reported were divided into two clusters. The first cluster relates to the allegation that Roy Suryo's diploma is fake. The second cluster is related to the allegation of Roy Suryo's involvement in the Hambalang project corruption case.

"The fact is, Mas Roy has never been a reported, suspect, or witness in the Hambalang case. However, the narrative that was built seemed as if he was involved in the corruption case," he said.

Furthermore, Abdul Gafur asked the investigators of the Polda Metro Jaya to uphold the principles of professionalism, proportionality, impartiality, and subsidiarity in handling this report. He emphasized that there should be no different treatment due to factors of power or political affiliation.

"Don't let the law be blunt upwards and sharp downwards. If the evidence is sufficient, the seven accused must be processed according to the applicable law," he said.

According to Abdul Gafur, this report is a "new chapter" in the controversy over Jokowi's diploma and as a response to the report that was first submitted by Jokowi. He emphasized that the legal step was not a form of attack, but an effort to seek justice in the legal state corridor.

"This is not a conflict that was started by our client. This is a response to a report that has already existed. Because we are a legal state, every suspected criminal act must be tested fairly," he concluded.