Prominent lawyer Eggi Sudjana has reacted to his official designation as a suspect in a high-profile defamation case stemming from allegations of a forged diploma belonging to the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). His response, shared with reporters, was notably defiant, even jovial.
Eggi is one of eight individuals implicated in this contentious case, which also includes former Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo and activist Dr. Tifa. Upon confirmation of his suspect status on Friday, November 7, Eggi remarked, “Already, Alhamdulillah, a suspect,” accompanied by a laugh that conveyed a sense of ease.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Eggi declared his readiness to confront the entire legal process initiated by the police. He asserted that his professional standing as a lawyer should grant him immunity from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits, citing a specific legal provision to support his claim.
“Insyaallah, if I am declared a suspect, I will face it, for example, through a pre-trial motion,” he stated with another laugh, maintaining his relaxed demeanor. He further elaborated, “I remain calm because, as an advocate, I am protected from criminal prosecution and civil litigation, in accordance with Article 16 of Law No. 18 of 2003 concerning Advocates.” This legal defense forms a crucial part of his strategy moving forward.
In total, eight individuals have been formally named suspects in the ongoing defamation investigation regarding the controversial accusations about President Jokowi’s alleged fake diploma. They face an extensive array of charges, indicating the severity and complexity of the case.
The suspects have been categorized into two distinct clusters based on their alleged involvement. The first cluster comprises five individuals:
- ES (Eggi Sudjana), identified as a lawyer.
- KTR (Kurnia Tri Rohyani), an activist affiliated with the Ulama and Activists Defense Team (TPUA).
- MRF (Muhammad Rizal Fadhillah), also an activist with the TPUA.
- RE (Rustam Effendi), an activist.
- DHL (Damai Hari Lubis), who serves as the Chairman of the TPUA.
Regarding the charges for this first group, the Head of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri, stated during a press conference at the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, November 7, that “the suspects from this cluster are charged under Article 310 and/or Article 311 and/or Article 160 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), and/or Article 27A juncto Article 45 paragraph 4, and/or Article 28 paragraph 2 juncto Article 45A paragraph 2 of the ITE Law.” These layered charges underscore the multifaceted legal challenges they now face.
The second cluster includes three other suspects:
- RS (Roy Suryo), a renowned telematics expert and former Minister of Youth and Sports.
- RHS (Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar), a digital forensics expert.
- TT (Tifa Tifauziah), a medical doctor who is also recognized as an activist.
Inspector General Asep elaborated on the charges for the second cluster, explaining that these suspects are also “charged under Article 310 and/or Article 311 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), and/or Article 32 paragraph 1 juncto Article 48 paragraph 1, and/or Article 35 juncto Article 51 paragraph 1, and/or Article 27A juncto Article 45 paragraph 4, and/or Article 28 paragraph 2 juncto Article 45A paragraph 2 of the ITE Law.” The comprehensive nature of these charges highlights the serious legal implications for all individuals involved in propagating the unsubstantiated claims against President Jokowi.