BAIS Soldier Splashes Acid on Activist, Ex-General: In TNI, Who Gave the Order Is "Clear"

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — TB Hasanuddin, a member of Commission I of the DPR from the PDI-P faction, emphasised that legal proceedings against four soldiers from the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI) must continue in the case of the acid splashing incident targeting an activist. He stressed that in the military system, the chain of command is very clear, so the party issuing the order must also be investigated. “Legal proceedings must continue. Because in the TNI environment, it is clear who is ordered, who receives the order, that is clear and clean. Yes, every activity always has an order or elaboration of the order. That is the law in the military,” said TB Hasanuddin when asked for confirmation on Thursday (26/3/2026). According to him, leaders in the command structure likely knew about the plan. “Then it will be processed legally, just like that. What law? Yes, military law,” he stated. He added that this case already meets the requirements for the Commission I DPR’s Intelligence Team to conduct an investigation in accordance with the State Intelligence Law. The results will then be submitted to the government for follow-up. “Well, it can’t be otherwise. It also depends on the government’s intention. If the government is open, then periodic updates are possible, right? Yes, there must be awareness, just like that. And if the government covers it up, that also means our level of democracy is declining, right? It’s clear like that,” TB Hasanuddin added. Previously, the Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) TNI, Yudi Abrimantyo, relinquished his position after four BAIS TNI members were secured in connection with the splashing incident against Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus. TNI’s Head of Information Centre, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, stated that the handover of the position was a form of accountability. “As a form of accountability, today the handover of the Kabais position has been carried out,” said Aulia during a press conference at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap on Wednesday (25/3/2026) evening.