Melodrama Titled The President's Diplomas

A photo by Luthfiah VOI

JAKARTA The polemic of the authenticity of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia's diploma, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) entered a new episode, namely a boisterous and full of political dramatics. This is because the Polda Metro Jaya has named eight people as suspects in the case of alleged fake diplomas, including the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Roy Suryo, who from the start was one of the most vocal figures in this issue.

Eight people as suspects in the alleged fake diploma case were Eggi Sudjana, Kurnia Tri Rohyani, Damai Hari Lubis, Rustam Effendi, and Muhammad Rizal Fadillah (first cluster), and Roy Suryo, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, dr. Tifauzia Tyassuma (second cluster).

Political observer Adi Prayitno, described this legal process as a new stage where the two camps prepared bullets to influence public opinion. This is not just a matter of law. The issue of diplomas of false accusations is similar to akah. Similar to Korean dramas, which of course never ends," he said on the Youtube channel, Sunday, November 23.

According to him, Roy Suryo et al's camp saw the police's move as a form of criminalization and silencing. On the other hand, Jokowi's camp views the investigator's decision as part of a legal and evidence-based procedure. Therefore, the Executive Director of PPI said Jokowi's diploma was far from over.

"What other episodes do you think will be produced by each camp for public sympathy and support?" said Adi.

Constitutional law expert, Feri Amsari also saw irregularities in the case of Jokowi's diploma, which has never stopped being debated in the last two years. Yesterday there was an example of Constitutional Justice Arsul Sani. If there is a diploma problem, just show it. It's just a clarification to the authorities, this is really not," he said.

He considered ending this diploma was actually easy. Because, simply put, there has been information from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), witnesses who know Jokowi is studying or who may graduate with Jokowi.

"Or then let's say there is a modern method of proof that can prove that paper (ijazah) is what age, yes. Done it's actually to talk about its authenticity. That's what makes me feel awkward. Things that should be easy to make long-winded. Two years right, "continued Feri.

Political Opinion Is Not The Scientific Analysis Answer

Academics in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), Dr. Ing. Ridho Rahmadi revealed that the police should not neglect the analysis of the parties suspected in the Jokowi diploma case. He considered that analysis through a quantitative image processing-based scientific approach conducted by Rismon Sianipar could be used as a comparison to the method of proof applied by the police.

Ridho-based education in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), ranging from master education in the Czech Republic and Austria to doctoral in the Netherlands as well as research experience in America-explained, quantitative image processing methods work by changing the digital image of documents into numerical representations which are then processed through mathematical formulas. Final results in the form of an index or matrix are used as a basis for objectively drafting conclusions. There is no subjective interpretation here. Analysis conducted is purely computationally based on mathematical computation, and mathematics is impossible to lie,' he explained.

Although he did not describe the entire analysis which was too technical in nature, he emphasized a number of approaches used, ranging from the analysis of compression patterns on the digital image of diplomas, examination of overlapping patterns between documents, overlay tests, proportional spacing, yellowing, analysis of noise pattern on thesis ratification sheets, to analysis of color intensity and gradient on the trajectory of the diploma stamp.

Ridho argues that the pattern of inconsistency found through a series of these methods leads to indications of digital engineering in diploma documents. Therefore, it should only be done against such analysis through other scientific studies that use a similar approach, not through opinions or political statements. In the scientific world, findings must be validated by independent researchers. An analysis can be denied or recognized, but the process must be equivalent to science, open, and public testable," he said.

"But again, this is a personal view that I convey in the academic context and not an official conclusion of scientific institutions or legal decisions," added Ridho.

Entrance To Improve Election Implementation System

On the other hand, Feri Amsari wants Jokowi's diploma polemic not to drag on. Moreover, this case did not have a constitutional impact even though in the end Jokowi's diploma was proven to be fake. This means that this will not change anything decided during the Jokowi administration. But the criminal aspect will be very strong, both to Jokowi and to his election organizers because it is not impossible that there will be an attempt to intentionally commit massive fraud in the process of organizing democracy," he said.

He stated that there needs to be a critical parliamentary role, because this could be a door for the DPR to apply for the right of interpellation, inquiry, or express opinions. The most interesting thing is the interpellation, because it is in the form of an investigation into what actually happened, why say the crime of falsifying such securities can last for 22 years in our election administration system," he added.

Feri emphasized that if it was proven false, the neglect of Jokowi's factual diploma verification that had occurred since Solo could be proof that election organizers had poor quality and had motives as a means of fraud. That's important there is a serious process from parliament to dismantle it. Unless parliament also participates in games and various frauds in elections," he continued.

Political communication expert, Hendri Satrio, considers that the essence of Jokowi's diploma problem is not just on educational documents, but on the collapse of the most important element in leadership, namely trust. This is because a leader has a moral obligation to maintain people's trust. When the foundation of trust is shaky, it is natural that various things are also questioned.

According to him, the polemic of the diploma that is currently happening arises because the public feels that there is an uncertainty that has never happened to previous presidents. Presidents before are not like that. There is nothing to question. Why? Because other presidents can maintain trust, nothing is made up or gives a lot of images that are used to gain power, "added Hensat.

The founder of the KedaiKOPI Survey Institute emphasized that this polemic must be a big lesson for all leaders, both now and in the future, so that they never ignore the value of public trust. "Whatever the end, history has recorded that there are state officials whose graduations are questioned. It is not a good history to tell to future generations. Hopefully this country will be better, prosperous and prosperous for its people," concluded Hensat.