Caustic Soda Attacker Andrie Yunus Changes Clothes to Destroy Evidence and as Possible Injury from Chemical

JAKARTA – The perpetrator who attacked Wakil Koordinator KontraS (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence) Andrie Yunus with caustic soda was captured on CCTV changing clothes whilst fleeing the scene.

Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, head of public relations for Metro Jaya Police, stated that the suspected perpetrator likely changed clothes because they were splashed by caustic soda. Additionally, the perpetrator is suspected of attempting to mislead police by wearing different clothing.

“It could be to destroy evidence or also because they were splashed by the chemical,” Budi told Kompas.com on Tuesday (14 March 2026).

However, Budi did not provide further details regarding the perpetrator’s motive for changing clothes. According to him, authorities need to question the perpetrator first to confirm this.

“But for certainty, it will be after the perpetrator is arrested,” said Budi.

Notably, a helmet and a container suspected of containing caustic soda were found near the scene of the incident. Furthermore, investigators noted that the perpetrator drove at higher speed and in the opposite direction after leaving the crime scene.

“We suspect that the perpetrator may also have been injured by the caustic soda they sprayed,” said Julio during a press conference at the YLBHI office on Monday (16 March 2026).

He also suspected that the perpetrator could have received medical assistance to treat injuries sustained from the caustic soda. “We emphasise to law enforcement authorities to promptly inspect medical facilities or healthcare professionals who may have the ability to secretly treat the perpetrator,” he said.

Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of KontraS’s executive board, stated that the incident occurred at 23.37 WIB whilst Andrie Yunus was riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Senen, Central Jakarta.