Civil Coalition: TNI Reform Emergency, Prosecute BAIS Head!
The Civil Society Coalition assesses that the handover of the position of Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS Head) following the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus is insufficient. The Civil Coalition urges that the BAIS Head be immediately prosecuted to hold him accountable.
The Civil Coalition initially viewed the TNI’s internal revitalisation agenda, as presented by TNI Information Centre Head Major General Aulia Dwi Nasurlah, as lacking clear intent and purpose. The Civil Coalition believes that revitalisation through punishing soldiers involved in general criminal acts via military courts is not an answer for the victims.
“This revitalisation agenda contradicts the TNI reform agenda in the TNI Law, which mandates the importance of reforming military justice so that military members involved in general criminal acts can be tried in general courts,” the Civil Coalition stated in its release on Thursday (26/3/2026).
The Civil Coalition asserts that in a state of law, all citizens must be treated equally before the law as affirmed by the Constitution. The Civil Coalition considers that the revelation of the Andrie Yunus case must go through general courts, not military courts or ad hoc courts.
“In a state of law, no citizen or group may be privileged in their trials compared to other citizens. All must submit to general courts if involved in general criminal acts. MPR Decree No. VI and VII of 2000 and TNI Law Article 65 clearly affirm that military members involved in general criminal acts must be tried in general courts,” the Civil Coalition wrote.
The Civil Coalition also views the revitalisation agenda by removing the BAIS Head as insufficient and not an answer for victim justice. The Civil Coalition states that this does not demonstrate TNI accountability and transparency.
“TNI soldier accountability can only be seen if the resolution of the crime in the Andrie case is carried out through general courts,” it stated.
“We urge that the change agenda within the TNI (TNI reform) should be directed towards the strategic intelligence reform agenda. So far, BAIS has often misused its authority, such as alleged involvement in the August riots case and the Andrie Yunus case,” it added.
The Civil Coalition also assesses that BAIS involvement in the Andrie Yunus case cannot be justified by any pretext or reason. Moreover, in a democracy, criticism and differences are essential for democratic life and not a national security threat that needs to be monitored or terrorised.
“Therefore, BAIS reform is urgent, namely that the strategic intelligence task is only to face strategic issues from outside the country that threaten state sovereignty, such as possible threats of war with other countries,” the Civil Coalition said.
“BAIS must not and cannot operate domestically by monitoring and supervising civil society, let alone committing violence like the Andrie case, because that is a form of black intelligence prohibited in a democratic system and state of law,” it continued.
Here are the 10 demands of the Civil Coalition in resolving the Andrie Yunus case:
Resolve the Andrie case through general courts.
Prosecute the newly removed BAIS Head to hold him accountable for his command.
Civilian authorities must evaluate and hold the Minister of Defence and TNI Commander accountable as defence policymakers, especially regarding the Andrie Yunus case.
Urge the military to exit civilian positions, such as Lieutenant Colonel Tedy who holds the Cabinet Secretary position and other civilian roles.
Civilian authorities or the Constitutional Court must immediately reform military justice so that the military submits to general courts if involved in general criminal acts.
Civilian authorities must immediately return the military to barracks and no longer involve them in operations other than war in the domestic sphere that are excessive, such as guarding civilian objects, guarding demonstrations, and others.
Return the military to its role as a state defence tool, not a regime tool misused to support regime projects like MBG, Merah Putih Cooperative, and others.
Modernise military equipment transparently and accountably and improve soldier welfare.
Urge civilian authorities to form a TNI reform team to continue, oversee, and complete the unfinished TNI reform agenda to date.
Immediately reform BAIS specifically and intelligence in general.
TNI Explanation
The TNI has carried out the handover of the Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS Head) position. This is done as a form of TNI accountability following the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus involving TNI BAIS members.
“So we need to state here, as a form of accountability, today the BAIS Head position handover has been carried out. Thank you,” said TNI Information Centre Head Maj Gen Aulia Dwi Nasrullah to reporters at TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).
Aulia stated that yesterday the TNI had held a meeting with the Ministry of Defence. In that meeting, Aulia said the TNI and the Ministry of Defence discussed TNI internal revitalisation.
In addition, Aulia mentioned that the meeting was in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. The meeting, he said, concluded that the TNI should firmly address every soldier who commits violations.
“The Indonesian National Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment by firmly addressing every legal and disciplinary violation committed by TNI soldiers,” said Aulia.