Commission I: DPR Has the Right to Investigate the Acid Attack Case on KontraS Activist

Commission I member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) TB Hasanuddin has emphasised that the DPR is entitled to delve into the case of the acid attack on the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, by summoning the government and related parties.

He explained that under Article 43 of Law Number 17 of 2011 on State Intelligence, there are clear mechanisms for overseeing intelligence operations, both internally and externally.

Internal oversight is conducted by the leadership of each intelligence agency.

Meanwhile, external oversight is carried out by the commission in the DPR that specifically handles intelligence matters, namely Commission I of the DPR.

He stated that in fulfilling this oversight function, Commission I of the DPR has established a permanent supervisory team comprising representatives from factions and commission leaders.

This team was approved and sworn in during a plenary session of the DPR and is obligated to maintain intelligence secrecy in accordance with applicable laws.

“Based on this foundation, Commission I of the DPR has the authority to summon relevant parties, including the government and TNI institutions, to request explanations and encourage a thorough investigation into this case,” said TB Hasanuddin in a written statement on Monday (23/3).

He said the case must be handled transparently, professionally, and accountably, given the alleged involvement of intelligence apparatus.

“Because the perpetrators are suspected to be from BAIS [TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency] elements, which are part of the intelligence apparatus, its handling cannot be treated as an ordinary case. This concerns public trust in state institutions.”

In addition, he stressed the importance of firm and impartial law enforcement against anyone proven to be involved, to safeguard institutional integrity and ensure justice for the victim.

“The state must provide legal certainty. Whoever the perpetrators are, they must be processed according to the applicable law,” he said.

Previously, the TNI stated that it had secured four of its members suspected of being the perpetrators of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.

They are NDP, SL, BHW, and ES.

NDP holds the rank of captain. Meanwhile, SL and BHW hold the rank of first lieutenant, and ES holds the rank of second sergeant.

They are from the Headquarters Detachment of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Denma BAIS), originating from the Navy and Air Force.