Civil Society Coalition's Response to Gibran's Proposal in the Acid Attack Case of Andrie Yunus
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform has responded to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming’s proposal calling for the involvement of ad hoc judges from professional circles in the trial of the acid attack case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus.
Muhamad Isnur, a member of the coalition from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, stated that the Vice President’s remarks should be understood as an indication that the Andrie Yunus case must be resolved through the general courts.
“Given the context here, only the general courts allow for the involvement of ad hoc judges, not the military courts,” Isnur said via a short message on Friday (10/4/2026).
Isnur also explained that, in the context of the premeditated attempted murder case against Andrie Yunus, Gibran’s statement is a strong signal of serious issues related to the professionalism, track record, and integrity of the parties in the military judiciary.
“We believe that the TNI should immediately halt the legal process in the military courts and hand it over to the civilian courts in line with the government’s policy direction as stated in Vice President Gibran’s written statement,” he said.
Isnur added that, besides contradicting the policy direction conveyed by Gibran, the military courts also do not align with the principle of equality before the law.
According to Isnur, if the TNI insists on continuing the process in the military courts, such action could be seen as defiance against the legitimate government policy direction, while also undermining the principle of civilian supremacy in a democratic state.
“We assess that forcing the resolution of this case in the military courts risks creating conflicts of interest because the perpetrators, lawyers, prosecutors, and judges are all from the military,” he added.
In previous reports, Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming proposed the involvement of ad hoc judges from professional backgrounds in the trial of the acid attack case on Andrie Yunus.
He emphasised that the government under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership is committed to supporting the judicial system to become fairer and more trusted.
“Therefore, the direct involvement of professionals with strong track records and integrity as ad hoc judges in the acid attack court against Mr Andrie Yunus is very important to maintain public trust and the honour of the law,” Gibran wrote in his statement on Thursday (9/4/2026).
“Justice must be present tangibly in society, and the legal process must proceed honestly, openly, and accountably,” he added.
Continuation of the Andrie Yunus Case