Analyst Appreciates Police Chief's Swift Action to Thoroughly Investigate KontraS Activist Case
Jakarta, VIVA – Senior political analyst Boni Hargens has highlighted the case of the acid attack on an activist from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Boni assessed that the incident has shaken Indonesia’s social space and raised widespread concerns among human rights advocates.
“An attack on a human rights activist is not merely an ordinary criminal act — it is a direct threat to democratic freedoms and a healthy civil ecosystem in Indonesia,” stated Boni Hargens in a written statement on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Boni opined that the attack on the KontraS activist is a danger signal threatening the courage of human rights defenders. However, he said, the government’s swift action in investigating the case deserves appreciation. In particular, the police who acted quickly, transparently, and measured in uncovering the perpetrators and the masterminds behind the attack.
Most recently, the police have released the face of the suspected perpetrator or executor in this case, and the TNI has arrested four of its members suspected in this case. The police and TNI will coordinate in investigating the perpetrators in the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
Boni stated that the post established by Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo regarding special complaints and witness testimonies for the acid attack case is a good breakthrough. In fact, Boni said, the existence of this complaint post has helped the police conduct the investigation of this case more quickly and efficiently.
“This post becomes a direct bridge between the public and the police institution. With the opening of a structured complaint channel, the investigation process of this case has moved more quickly and efficiently until the suspected perpetrator has been arrested. Information from the public can become valuable leads for investigators in tracing the perpetrators’ trail and building a comprehensive and accountable case construction,” explained Boni.
The establishment of this post also serves as a strong signal that Polri is committed to carrying out the legal process openly. The public is not just spectators but involved as active partners in law enforcement, a practice that reflects the principles of modern policing.
On the other hand, Boni said that the post represents the true embodiment of society policing.