Alleged Loss of Jokowi's Degree Does Not Eliminate Legal Accountability

JAKARTA - Criminal law expert at Tarumanagara University, Hery Firmansyah, assessed that the alleged loss or destruction of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) diploma did not close the process of proof in legal cases. Because, it can still be done through other evidence even though the value of the proof is not always the same as the original document.

"If it is true that the diploma has been lost or not found, of course, other evidence needs to be presented even though its value is not exactly the same as the original diploma which is only issued once for the person concerned," he said, Sunday, June 28.

He emphasized that the loss of a diploma does not necessarily remove the potential for legal liability if there are still allegations of criminal acts that must be proven. In fact, this condition can actually make the proof process more complex.

"Even the burden of proof is heavy if it is lost. The question will arise, is it important for everyone who has worked hard to get it? Since when is it lost or damaged and because of what, it certainly needs to be answered," added Hery.

According to him, if the document has ever been used for certain purposes known to the public, it can also be part of the proof process. "What's more, if it has ever been used before for other things that the public knows about," he continued.

Therefore, Hery considered that a legal process in court was the right step so that the controversy regarding the diploma would not continue. "True, it is the best way to end this controversy," he said.