Mohamad Sobary, a former supporter of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, testified on Thursday as an expert witness in support of Roy Suryo, Rismon Sianipar, and Tifauzia Tyassuma – collectively known as Dokter Tifa – who are facing legal challenges related to allegations of a forged diploma attributed to Widodo, according to reports from Sindonews and Suara.com.
Sobary, a retired researcher from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), asserted that the research conducted by Suryo, Sianipar, and Tyassuma is scientifically sound and defensible. “I guarantee under oath, the research conducted by Dr. Tifa, Dr. Rismon, and Kanjeng Roy is scientifically accountable, and I take responsibility for that guarantee,” Sobary stated to reporters at Polda Metro Jaya, as reported by Sindonews.
The former Jokowi supporter explained that the trio operated within the bounds of academic freedom and scientific inquiry, a space where legal and ethical regulations are less defined. “They researched in an area of academic freedom, an area of scientific freedom. There are no legal rules governing it, so all scientific behavior does not violate any rules of Indonesian law,” Sobary said. He further claimed their work did not violate any ethical or moral principles, characterizing it as an effort to educate the public and foster scientific understanding.
Sobary, a cultural expert, detailed to investigators the methodological rigor involved in research, outlining stages from initial inspiration and proposal formulation to instrument development, interviews, document analysis, and media studies. He specified that media studies relevant to their research focused on investigative journalism and negative reporting, distinguishing it from general news coverage, as reported by Suara.com.
According to Tribunnews, Sobary emphasized the importance of intellectual roles and the structured, scientific process undertaken by the defendants. He stated that the three individuals were “running what is called the role of intellectuals,” conducting research to convey messages about the world of knowledge.
The case continues, with no immediate resolution announced as of Thursday evening.