Sofian Effendi Withdraws Statement About Jokowi's Diploma. This Is the Rector of UGM From Time to Time

The Shiro Copr , Jakarta - The controversy regarding the authenticity of President Joko Widodo's diploma has resurfaced in the public sphere after statements from Prof. Sofian Effendi, former Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) during 2002-2007, spread widely through a YouTube channel. However, only one day later, Sofian retracted all his statements about Certificate of Jokowi and publicly apologized.

In a letter dated July 17, 2025, signed directly by Sofian, he stated that he is retracting the statement he previously made in an interview on the YouTube channel Langkah Update. He also stated that the statement by the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ova Emilia, made on October 11, 2022, regarding the authenticity of Jokowi's diploma, is in accordance with the evidence held by the university.

"Regarding that, I withdraw all my statements in that video and request that the interview on that YouTube channel be removed from circulation. I sincerely apologize to all parties mentioned in the interview," wrote. Sofian Effendi In the letter.

Previously, in a one-hour live video broadcast on July 16, 2025, Sofian stated that President Jokowi never graduated from the Faculty of Forestry at UGM and claimed that Jokowi's diploma is fake. As of the morning of July 18, 2025, the video had been viewed nearly 470,000 times.

Sofian's statement immediately received a response from UGM. The Secretary of Gadjah Mada University, Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu, stated that what Sofian conveyed contradicts the academic data held by the university. He also expressed regret over the parties he considered to have led Sofian to present incorrect opinions.

"Such a statement will have legal consequences and be a risk for Mr. Sofian Effendi personally," said Andi, referring to the official UGM press release.

UGM stated that it still adheres to the previous clarification, that President Jokowi is indeed recorded as a student of UGM class of 1980 with student ID number 80/34416/KT/1681 and graduated on November 5, 1985. This certainty is also reinforced by the results of a forensic examination from the Forensic Laboratory Center of the Indonesian National Police on May 22, 2025, which stated that Jokowi's diploma is genuine and identical to the official comparison documents.

Sofian Effendi himself is part of the long history of Gadjah Mada University. It was officially established on December 19, 1949, and has been led by 17 rectors since its initial period.

Here is a list Rektor UGM From time to time according to the official university archives:

1. Prof Dr M. Sardjito (1949-1961)

2. Prof Dr Ir Herman Johannes (1966-1966)

3. Dr. Mohammad Nazir Alwi (1966-1967)

4. Drs. Soepojo Padmodipoetro (1967-1968)

5. Prof Dr Soeroso H. Prawirohardjo, M.A. (1968-1973)

6. Prof Dr Sukadji Ranuwihardjo, M.A. (1973-1981)

7. Prof Dr Teuku Jacob, M.S., D.S. (1981-1986)

8. Prof. Dr. Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri, S.H. (1986-1990)

9. Prof. Dr. Mochamad Adnan (1990-1994)

10. Prof Dr Soekanto Reksohadiprojo, M.Com. (1994-1998)

11. Prof. Dr. Ichlasul Amal, M.A. (1998-2002)

12. Prof Dr Sofian Effendi, M.P.I.A. (2002-2007)

13. Prof Ir Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D. (2007-2012)

14. Prof Dr Drs Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc. (2012-2014)

15. Prof Ir Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D. (2014-2017)

16. Prof Ir Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. (2017-2022)

17. Prof Dr Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D. (2022 - present)

Ova Emilia became the first female rector at UGM and was inaugurated on May 27, 2022, for a term until 2027.

With a long history and a prestigious name, the dynamics involving former and current rectors of UGM often attract public attention. This incident serves as an important reminder of the importance of being careful when conveying information, especially if it relates to higher education institutions that hold national academic authority.

Eka Yudha Saputra dan Rachel Farahdiba Regar contributed to the writing of this article.