Amnesty Claims TNI's BAIS Chief Resignation Has Political Overtones, Urges Formation of Fact-Finding Team
Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, has highlighted the slow handling of the acid attack case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus. He urged the President and the DPR to immediately form a fact-finding team (TPF) to ensure that the legal process is transparent and accountable.
“Entering the second week since the strong acid attack struck Andrie, the enforcement of the law in this tragedy appears sluggish and odd. Not due to technical and administrative obstacles, but thick with political and non-juridical nuances,” Usman said in his statement on Thursday (26/3).
He also assessed that the resignation of the Head of the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), stated as a form of responsibility, carries political nuances and must be followed up legally.
“The resignation of the BAIS Head, stated by the TNI’s Head of Information Centre as a ‘form of responsibility’, brings political nuances. Therefore, it must be directed towards juridical accountability in the general court,” he said.
Furthermore, Usman highlighted the discrepancies in information provided by law enforcement officials. The police previously released two initials of the perpetrators, BHC and MAK, along with their faces. However, the TNI’s Military Police Centre then announced four initials of TNI soldiers, namely NDP, SL, BHW, and ES, without detailed explanations regarding evidence or each one’s role.
“We are concerned that the police and military are moving independently, leading to confusion of facts. Therefore, the President needs to form a fact-finding team (TPF) involving law enforcement, civil society, and figures with high moral integrity,” he said.
He added that the DPR also needs to take similar steps by forming a cross-commission TPF.
“To be more effective, the DPR needs to form a TPF involving Commissions I and III. Without the DPR’s maximum role, this case risks stalling midway. The formation of this TPF is very urgent so that the investigation runs objectively and impartially,” he continued.
In addition, Usman emphasised that this case must be processed through the general court in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
“The state must process this case in the general court, not the military court, in accordance with MPR Decree No. VII/2000 and the TNI Law that soldiers who commit general criminal acts must be subject to the general court,” he stressed.
Further, Usman reminded that this case is not merely an ordinary criminal act and must be investigated thoroughly and seriously.
“Remember, Andrie’s case is not just an ordinary attempted murder criminal act. This is systematic terror designed to silence critical voices and citizens’ constitutional rights to express opinions,” Usman said.
Previously, the TNI’s Head of Information Centre, Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, on 25 March announced the resignation of the TNI’s BAIS Head, previously held by Yudi Abrimantyo, as a form of responsibility for the case.
The TNI’s Head of Information Centre also stated that the investigation process against the four TNI personnel who have been designated as suspects is ongoing. The four soldiers have been detained at the Jaya Military Regional Police since 18 March 2026 and serve as members of the BAIS TNI Military Police Detachment.