Academic: Andrie Yunus Attack is Purely an Individual Act

Professor of Communication at UIN Mataram, Professor Kadri, assesses that the case of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus must be placed proportionally as an individual action, not an institutional one. “In my view, this issue should be positioned as that of a rogue element. It cannot be drawn to the institution. It is not wise. It must be placed as that of a rogue element,” he stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to Kadri, this must be emphasised because the case could lead to opinion manipulation that harms the TNI institution as a whole. However, he noted that the TNI has long been an institution of pride for the public. “I fear this issue will be steered towards character assassination of the institution that has been a source of pride. Do not let this case lead to delegitimisation of an institution that should be strengthened,” he said. Furthermore, he assessed that in the current information era, the public is easily influenced by narratives that may not be complete. Therefore, clarity and consistency of information from the institution are key. From a public communication perspective, he views the TNI’s step of opening up information transparently as the right strategy to avoid confusion. “The TNI has dared to explain this transparently. In communication, something ambiguous makes the public unable to grasp the message fully. Message certainty is important. This is what the public is waiting for,” he explained. He also assessed that the TNI has shown a sufficiently clear stance on handling the case, including revealing the rogue elements involved. On the other hand, President Prabowo Subianto’s firm stance emphasising that whoever the perpetrators are must be punished further strengthens the government’s efforts in upholding the law. “Mr Prabowo’s statement as president is firm. Those who are guilty must be punished. The president, with a military background, shows a firm stance. This must be taken seriously by the apparatus processing this case,” he said. Therefore, Kadri is optimistic that the TNI will resolve this case professionally and will not tolerate legal violations within its ranks.