Doctor Tifa charged with defaming Jokowi over fake diploma allegations

Tifauziah Tyassuma, widely known as Doctor Tifa, has been indicted on charges of defamation and violating electronic information laws, accused of damaging the personal reputation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo concerning allegations of a fake diploma.

The case originated on March 26, 2025, when a witness, Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah, presented three social media posts perceived as attacks on Jokowi's honor, specifically related to the fake diploma claims. One post, from Doctor Tifa's X account (@DokterTifa), bore the title 'AI Era: All Fake Diplomas Will Be Revealed in Seconds.'

Following this, Jokowi instructed Syarif to contact his legal team to gather the social media posts. Subsequently, Jokowi's lawyers held a press conference to address Tifa's posts. On April 15, 2025, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) also held a press conference, affirming that Jokowi was a registered student and had graduated from the institution.

“

That as a result of the Defendant's actions, witness Ir. H. Joko Widodo suffered immaterial losses, namely damage to his personal reputation.

Despite the university's statement, on April 22, 2025, Syarif presented Jokowi with an additional 28 posts reiterating the fake diploma accusations. The prosecution stated that Tifa's actions caused Jokowi intangible harm by damaging his personal reputation. The prosecutor added that Jokowi felt deeply insulted and demeaned, with some parties accusing him of using a fake diploma to meet requirements for public office, including his previous roles as Mayor of Solo, Governor of Jakarta, and President of Indonesia.

For her alleged actions, Tifa is charged under Article 434 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 441 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code (KUHP). A subsidiary charge falls under Article 433 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 441 paragraph (1) of the KUHP. Additionally, Tifa is charged under Article 32 in conjunction with Article 48 paragraph (1) of Law No. 11/2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (UU ITE), as amended by Law No. 1/2026.

“

Feeling insulted to the highest degree and demeaned to the lowest, with some parties even accusing witness Ir. H. Joko Widodo of using a fake diploma...