Connie Bakrie Raises Concerns Over Use of Ministry of Defence Official Residence in Andrie Yunus Case

Military and geopolitical expert Connie Rahakundini Bakrie views the alleged use of a Ministry of Defence official residence in the violence case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus as more than ordinary criminality. She describes the incident as a signal of systemic problems in national intelligence governance. Connie made this statement during a public discussion titled “Strategic Relations between the Ministry of Defence and TNI BAIS in National Intelligence Design,” organised by the DPP Indonesia Youth Congress (IYC) in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4).

“National strategic intelligence is not only a tool for national defence but also a guardian of democracy and human rights. If coordination is weak and human rights protection is neglected, intelligence can become a threat to its own people,” Connie said.

Connie highlighted findings from a national media investigation that uncovered allegations of state facilities being used by rogue elements of TNI BAIS in the series of attacks. According to her, the pattern of events indicates a systematic process, from planning to escape attempts, suggesting a structured operation rather than a spontaneous act.

She also warned of symptoms of mission creep, where the function of defence intelligence, which should focus on external threats, expands into the realm of domestic political surveillance.

“If intelligence enters the territory of domestic political surveillance, there is a serious threat to democracy and human rights protection,” she emphasised.

As a corrective step, Connie advocates strengthening external oversight by actively involving Komnas HAM and the DPR RI. She proposes that every intelligence operation be accompanied by a human rights impact assessment as a form of public accountability.

She also stresses the importance of transparency in revealing the motives, intellectual actors, and chain of command in the Andrie Yunus case to prevent it from becoming a “dark chapter” that is forgotten.