Chair of House Commission X Condemns Attack on Andrie Yunus

Jakarta — The Chair of the House of Representatives Commission X, Hetifah Sjaifudian, has condemned the acid attack perpetrated by unknown assailants against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS (Indonesian Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence).

“Being attacked with acid by irresponsible individuals is something that should not be tolerated, nor should any other threats,” Hetifah stated during a discussion titled Smart Journalism in Jakarta on Sunday.

Hetifah, a former activist herself, acknowledged that efforts to advocate for the rights of the public currently face significant risks. She stressed that activists and journalists constitute the principal pillars of democracy that must be protected.

“I ask for your prayers that such incidents do not recur in the future,” she said.

Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, became a victim of an attack by unknown assailants who threw acid at him, causing burns to his hands and feet and vision impairment. The incident occurred shortly after Yunus completed recording a podcast at the Office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) discussing militarism and constitutional review of the Armed Forces Law.

According to preliminary information, the victim was riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I, Central Jakarta, at approximately 23.37 on Thursday (12 March) when two assailants on a motorcycle approached and threw acid at him before fleeing.

The attack resulted in burns covering approximately 24 per cent of the victim’s body. He was immediately transported to hospital for emergency medical care, particularly for his eyes which were directly exposed to the acid.