Jokowi visits Singapore for Bloomberg Forum, sparks debate as he repeatedly skips fake-diploma trial
Former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) travelled to Singapore from 18–21 November to attend the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, delivering a keynote on Indonesia’s digital infrastructure and AI-driven “intelligent economy.” His trip comes amid criticism, as he has repeatedly missed court hearings in his fake diploma case.
- Bloomberg Forum attendance: Jokowi went to Singapore to speak at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and promoted Indonesia’s infrastructure and digital economy agenda.
- Diploma controversy: He has skipped several court sessions over allegations of holding a fake university diploma, citing health issues.
- Public scepticism: Critics argue his illness excuse is inconsistent, pointing to his active participation abroad as evidence of selective absence.
Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) flew to Singapore on 18 November 2025 to participate in the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, where he delivered a keynote speech and engaged with global leaders on the future of the digital economy.
During his address, Jokowi emphasised that the next phase of global growth hinges on human capital equipped for artificial intelligence (AI), coding, and data literacy. He called this the era of “economic intelligence”, asserting that countries must adapt their financial and trade institutions to reflect this shift.
He also highlighted Indonesia’s progress in building foundational infrastructure—roads, ports, power grids, and data centres—that support both physical and digital connectivity. Jokowi praised the country’s universal QRIS payment system, noting that even street vendors in rural areas now operate on the same digital payments platform as major corporations.
Jokowi’s trip drew attention not only for its economic significance, but also because of his role as a member of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum’s Advisory Council, a position he has held since April 2025.
A court case left behind
But his presence in Singapore has sparked controversy at home as it coincided with his absence from mediation sessions in a citizen lawsuit questioning the authenticity of his university diploma.
The mediation process, held at the Pengadilan Negeri Solo, has stalled on multiple occasions due to Jokowi’s non-attendance.
His legal team has maintained that his presence is not mandatory and that representation through counsel is sufficient under procedural rules. They have cited scheduling commitments and health considerations in earlier sessions. Yet the contrast between his international engagements and repeated absences in the mediation has prompted public debate over his priorities.
Legal observers note that while mediation does permit representation, personal attendance is generally encouraged to expedite resolution. The plaintiffs have insisted that Jokowi should appear directly, arguing that the matter concerns public trust and transparency.
The controversy deepened after authorities named eight individuals as suspects in a related case involving alleged falsification and dissemination of claims about the diploma.
Those identified include Roy Suryo, Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, Tifauzia Tyassuma, Eggi Sudjana, Kurnia Tri Rohyani, M. Rizal Fadillah, Rustam Effendi, and Damai Hari Lubis.
Police allege that the group distributed manipulated documents and made misleading assertions that contributed to the spread of unverified information. While the suspects have not been detained, they have been placed under weekly reporting obligations and are prohibited from leaving the country.
Several of the suspects maintain that their criticisms were based on perceived inconsistencies in the diploma’s typography and formatting. They argue that certain elements of the document do not match standards typically used in the mid-1980s. These concerns form the basis of their long-standing demand for Jokowi to publicly display the original certificate.
Jokowi has consistently declined to do so outside formal judicial proceedings. His legal representatives argue that the request lacks sufficient legal basis and that personal documents should not be released solely to satisfy public debate. They add that the former president is prepared to present the certificate if a full trial proceeds.
For critics, the refusal has become central to the wider controversy. They argue that transparency would help resolve lingering doubts and reduce political tension. Supporters counter that the allegations lack factual grounding and that legal channels should be allowed to proceed without public pressure.
The latest mediation session ended without resolution, heightening expectations that the case may advance to trial. Should that occur, Jokowi may be required to produce the original diploma under court supervision.
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