Caustic Acid Attack on Activist Condemned by DPR Member as Attack on Civil Liberties and Democracy

JAKARTA – A member of the DPR Commission XIII, Mafirion, has condemned the caustic acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

According to Mafirion, the caustic acid attack on the activist is not an ordinary criminal act. “This is a form of terror that directly attacks civil liberties and democracy,” Mafirion stated firmly on Monday (16 March 2026).

“Attacks against human rights activists are a tangible violation of human rights. The state cannot allow this intimidation to continue. The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) must act swiftly to provide emergency protection to the victim,” said Mafirion.

Mafirion explained that Law Number 31 of 2014 stipulates that LPSK has full authority to ensure the personal security of victims, their families, and their property from all forms of threat.

“LPSK must ensure protection from the investigation stage through to trial. This is crucial so that law enforcement proceeds without intimidation and victims do not feel abandoned in facing this terror,” said Mafirion.

Additionally, Mafirion urged law enforcement not to hesitate in prosecuting the perpetrator and uncovering the motives behind the caustic acid attack.

“Authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to create a deterrent effect. There must not be any perception that attacking human rights defenders is something that can be done without legal consequences,” said Mafirion.

This statement was supported by AKBP Roby Saputra, Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Central Jakarta Metro Police, who announced that the case status has been upgraded from investigation to formal prosecution.

During the investigation process, police are currently tracing the identity of the perpetrator whose actions were captured on security cameras (CCTV) around the crime scene.