Civil Coalition: Change of Kabais Leadership Not a Solution, Uncover Command Behind Andrie Yunus Attack
The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) assesses that the handover of the position of Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) is not a solution. TAUD urges the TNI to uncover the command behind the acid splashing against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
“The replacement of the Head of Bais is not a solution; the state must dismantle the chain of command behind the acid attack on Andrie Yunus and bring the perpetrators to general courts!” said Fadhil Alfathan from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), part of TAUD, in his statement on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
TAUD views the TNI’s statement on the Kabais position handover as not addressing the serious crime in the acid splashing case involving TNI Bais members. It highlights the accountability behind such a step.
“In its statement, the TNI also mentioned the replacement of the Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) as a form of ‘institutional accountability’. However, this step cannot be seen as adequate accountability, especially as an answer to a serious crime allegedly involving an organised operation by a military intelligence agency,” he said.
Additionally, TAUD regrets that the TNI press conference today did not explain developments in the case experienced by Andrie Yunus, including openness in revealing the acid attackers.
“We assess that the press conference delivered does not address substantial developments regarding the handling of the case claimed to have been carried out by TNI Puspom, including issues of openness in the legal process and the revelation of perpetrators already designated as suspects last week,” he said.
TAUD suspects the perpetrators of the splashing against Andrie Yunus number more than four people. It states that the TNI must investigate suspicions of superior orders up to the command structure.
“TAUD revealed last week that the perpetrators of the attempted murder of Andrie Yunus are strongly suspected to involve dozens of actors, far more than the four indicated by Metro Jaya Police and TNI Puspom. This large operation raises various suspicions that need to be investigated, such as orders, superior involvement, and command structure within the TNI,” he said.
TAUD also questions the Kabais position replacement step if intended as accountability. According to TAUD, the construction of accountability for human rights violations should not be attached to one position alone.
“In the hierarchical military organisational structure, the chain of command involves broader layers of leadership than one person,” he said.
“The absence of explanation regarding command structure accountability strongly suggests an effort to cover up partial, selective accountability that does not touch the entire chain of command that should be examined,” he added.
TAUD demands legal processing if superior involvement is found during the investigation. TAUD also demands that this case be handled through general court mechanisms, not military courts.
“The position replacement cannot be positioned as a substitute for criminal legal processes. If superior involvement is found during the investigation, whether in the form of orders, approval, or negligence, the appropriate action is not just dismissal, but also processing those parties through applicable legal mechanisms,” he said.
“Dismissal without follow-up criminal accountability could potentially become an internal mechanism that closes accountability space and strengthens impunity practices,” he added.
TAUD also outlines five demands related to this case, as follows:
We urge:
The President to immediately take firm steps to ensure this case is revealed thoroughly and independently, including by ordering the formation of a credible and conflict-free investigation team or mechanism to trace the involvement of all actors, including in the chain of command;
The President to immediately guarantee that this case is handled through general courts, and not allow a civilian-space case to be shifted to military court jurisdiction that could hinder transparency and accountability, and further violate civilian supremacy and equal legal principles;
The President to immediately order investigation and processes to hold accountable the Kabais, all subordinates involved, and superiors up to the TNI Commander and Minister of Defence through thorough and independent investigation, to ensure accountability does not stop at one position;
Commission III of the DPR RI to immediately establish a Working Committee (Panja) to unravel facts and in-depth statements from all interested parties so that the ongoing legal processes can proceed quickly and uncover all elements of the incident.
Commission I of the DPR RI to maximise the Intelligence Supervisory Team (Timwas) based on Law No. 17 of 2017 on State Intelligence. This step is complementary supervision to law enforcement, especially regarding suspected intelligence involvement. However, it must be emphasised that the Timwas function is political and supervisory, not law enforcement. Therefore, Timwas involvement must not replace independent, transparent, and accountable legal processes.
Kabais Position Handed Over Today
The TNI conducted the handover of the Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) position. This was done as a form of TNI accountability following the acid splashing case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus involving TNI Bais members.
“So we need to convey here, as a form of accountability, today the Kabais position handover has been carried out. Thank you,” said TNI Chief of Information Mayjen Aulia Dwi Nasrullah to reporters at TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).