Expert Witness Roy Suryo Cs Re-examined: Legal Representative Values the Investigation is Not Balanced

Roy Suryo and his lawyer at the Polda Metro Jaya/ Photo: Ari K

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya again examined an expert who was submitted by the suspect in the case of alleged allegations of a fake diploma of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Roy Suryo et al. This examination is considered an effort to present a balance in the midst of the dominance of witness and expert testimony, which has so far been considered to benefit the reporting party.

The expert examined was Professor Aceng Ruhendi Syaifullah, a forensic linguistics expert from the Graduate School of the University of Education Indonesia (UPI), Bandung. The examination took place at the State Security Sub-Directorate (Kamneg) of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Metro Jaya Police, South Jakarta, Monday, February 2, 2026.

Roy Suryo's lawyer, Ahmad Khozinudin, said the presence of the expert was important to test whether the series of events in question really met the elements of a crime, especially regarding the use of language, narrative, and presentation of research results to the public.

"Experts will explain from a forensic linguistic perspective on the construction of legal events that have been perceived as criminal," Khozinudin told the media at the Polda Metro Jaya, Monday, February 2, 2026.

According to Khozinudin, this expert examination is also relevant to assess whether the questions and academic studies conducted by Roy Suryo et al. can be immediately criminalized. He emphasized that until now there has been no counter-research that has scientifically refuted the conclusions published by his party.

"In the academic world, the results of the research are valid for publication, as long as there is no comparison that cancels it methodologically," he said.

In line with Khozinudin, another lawyer, Abdul Gafur Sangadji, highlighted the inequality in the investigation process. Gafur said that the first stage case file was dominated by statements that benefited the reporter, both in terms of witnesses and experts.

"The BAP contains about 130 witnesses and 22 experts, all of whom we suspect will strengthen the reporter. Therefore, the presence of experts from our side is important so that this case is transparent and objective," said Gafur.

He added that Professor Uceng is an independent academic who is expected to be able to provide an interpretation of expertise without bias, especially in assessing whether or not there are criminal elements in the event in question.

"Professor Uceng is an expert who is truly independent, objective, and not biased towards anyone. Professor Uceng is believed to provide a legal interpretation of an event that is suspected of having a crime," he concluded.

It is known that Roy Suryo cs actually submitted three experts to be examined today. However, the other two experts, Ganjar Raksamana Bondar Bonaprapta from the University of Indonesia and Azmi Syahputra from Trisakti University, were unable to attend.

With the examination of Professor Uceng, the total number of experts who have been proposed by Roy Suryo et al. and examined by investigators now totals eight people. They come from various disciplines, ranging from communication, digital forensics, artificial intelligence, criminal law, to forensic linguistics.

The legal team hopes that the diversity of expertise can be a counterweight in the investigation process, as well as ensuring that law enforcement is carried out fairly and proportionately.