Acid Attack Case: Police Must Dismantle Perpetrator Network
A security and terrorism expert from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Robi Sugara, believes the police possess the capacity to swiftly resolve the case of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. He pointed to the increasingly strong capabilities of law enforcement, bolstered by government support.
“With the capacity they have, police should be able to quickly uncover the perpetrators of this case,” Robi stated during a Deep Talk Indonesia dialogue.
He argued that the investigation cannot be allowed to drag on without clarity. He emphasised the importance of authorities not merely apprehending field operatives, but also uncovering those suspected of being the intellectual architects of the attack.
“Police must capture the perpetrators and dismantle the network behind them, not just the field operators,” he said.
Robi assessed that the method of acid attack was chosen to create long-term terror effects by inflicting permanent injuries on the victim.
“This method creates prolonged trauma because the physical scars cannot disappear,” he explained.
He also warned that the incident has the potential to trigger public unrest. The public may develop the perception that individuals who voice criticism against certain policies risk becoming targets of violence, he noted. Without transparent handling, this could also damage public perception of the government.
Conversely, Robi urged the public not to rush to conclusions about who orchestrated the attack.
“Do not let the public immediately accuse certain parties without clear evidence,” he cautioned.
On this occasion, Robi recommended two steps police could take. First, tighten surveillance of the circulation of dangerous chemicals such as acid through stricter regulation. Second, police should communicate investigation progress openly and regularly to the public to prevent speculation.
“If there is no official information, the public can speculate on their own, and that could worsen the situation,” he stressed.
Andrie Yunus, who became a victim of the acid attack by an unknown assailant, is now under emergency protection from the Witness and Victim Protection Institute (LPSK). The National Hospital Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) is providing intensive treatment for his chemical burns.
Metro Jaya Police have identified four perpetrators in connection with the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. The victim was reportedly followed from the YLBHI office to Salemba.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called on the public to trust the ongoing legal process regarding the investigation into the acid attack.
The House of Representatives Commission III has planned to summon the police and KontraS regarding the acid attack case. Setara Institute has characterised the acid attack on Yunus as a warning alarm for democracy, demanding that police uncover the intellectual actors behind the assault.