Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus Described as an Anti-Criticism Stance

“Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is a virtue,” wrote philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

Director of Rumah Politik Indonesia, Fernando Emas, has highlighted the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus as an anti-democratic stance and a refusal to accept criticism.

“I believe that whoever is the intellectual actor and the perpetrators of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus are losers and anti-democratic because they do not want to be criticised or evaluated,” he asserted in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/4).

Fernando stated that the public still hopes the case involving the KontraS activist will be thoroughly investigated without interference from any party.

“Indonesian society still hopes that the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus will be handled thoroughly and transparently without any interference from any party,” he said.

He also assessed that there is strong public suspicion that the attack is related to Andrie’s criticism regarding civil supremacy in Indonesia.

“There is strong suspicion and public doubt that the acid attack on Andrie Yunus is due to his criticism related to civil supremacy in Indonesia, which seems to disturb the comfort of one state institution,” Fernando said.

Fernando emphasised that state institutions funded by the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) should be open to public criticism.

“As institutions funded by the APBN, they should be able to accept criticism from anyone, no matter how harsh. If they do not want to be criticised or evaluated, they should just become a mass organisation,” he said.

He added that criticism should be viewed as part of efforts to build the nation, not as a threat.

“If it is indeed true and runs according to the constitution, why should they be afraid or even anti-criticism. They should realise that the budget they enjoy comes from people’s taxes, so they should be partners in building Indonesia, not opponents,” he stressed.

Fernando also hopes that President Prabowo Subianto will take a firm stance in enforcing the law regarding the case.

A criminal law expert from Binus University, Ahmad Sofyan, considers the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus can be categorised as attempted premeditated murder.

Member of Commission III of the DPR RI, Benny K. Harman, assesses that there is an effort to delegitimise the government in the acid attack case against KontraS Deputy Coordinator, Andrie Yunus.

The principle of equality before the law must be upheld by bringing the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus to the general court, not the military court.

Komnas HAM urges transparent examination of the former TNI Kabais regarding the acid attack case on activist Andrie Yunus. Law enforcement is deemed crucial.

The dismissal of TNI Kabais Yudi Abrimantyo is considered insufficient to address demands for justice in the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus.

Setara Institute calls the acid attack on Andrie Yunus (KontraS) an alarm for democracy. Police urged to uncover intellectual actors of the attack.

Democracy demands all parties uphold mutual respect, including when there are differences of opinion.

Yusril stated that human rights defenders work for the interests of the people and the state, so their safety must be guaranteed by law.