Commission XIII Condemns Acid Attack on KontraS Activist

Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives Sugiat Santoso, a Gerindra Party politician, condemned the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), which occurred on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. Santoso condemned the assault against Yunus, who conducts human rights advocacy work.

“As deputy chair of Commission XIII, I strongly condemn any act of violence perpetrated by any party. Especially when carried out irresponsibly against human rights activists,” said Sugiat by telephone on Friday, 14 March 2026.

Sugiat urged law enforcement authorities to identify the perpetrators and motive behind the attack. He called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to take this matter seriously to prevent further victims.

“We urge law enforcement authorities to fully investigate whoever perpetrated this act of violence and they must be arrested and punished to serve as a deterrent,” said Sugiat.

According to Sugiat, police must commit to revealing the truth behind the attack on the activist. If the investigation is completed thoroughly, he said, the public will not be left with unanswered questions that fuel speculation.

Sugiat stated that Commission XIII, which oversees human rights matters, will monitor the development of this case to ensure the victim receives justice. “Commission XIII will monitor this case so it can be resolved in the shortest and fairest time possible,” said Sugiat.

Andrie Yunus was attacked with an acid solution on Jalan Salemba I—Talang in Central Jakarta on Thursday evening. Yunus was doused with a dangerous liquid by two unknown individuals riding a motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction.

The unidentified perpetrators sprayed the acid onto the front of Yunus’s body, causing him to collapse. “The victim immediately screamed in pain and dropped his motorcycle,” said KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Dimas explained that before the incident, Andrie had just finished recording a podcast titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Central Jakarta, around 23:00 WIB. The victim stopped by a petrol station in Cikini before continuing his journey on a motorcycle.

At approximately 23:37 WIB, two individuals, believed to be male, riding a motorcycle approached Andrie and sprayed acid on him. The corrosive chemical liquid hit the right side of Yunus’s body, particularly his eyes, face, chest and hands.

Part of the victim’s clothing also melted from the acid exposure. Medical examination results showed Andrie sustained chemical burns covering 24 per cent of his body. The victim screamed in pain and mentioned the acid, prompting several residents to arrive at the scene.

The alleged perpetrators dropped a stainless steel glass whilst attempting to flee. The assailants are believed to have escaped in the direction of Jalan Salemba Raya. The victim is currently receiving intensive care at a hospital.