Criminologist: Acid Attacks Viewed as Cheap and Easy Way to Injure Victims

The recent spate of acid attacks is suspected to be due to perpetrators considering the method easy and cheap for injuring victims.

University of Indonesia criminologist Josias Simon stated that chemicals like acid are relatively easy to obtain as they are still used for certain needs.

“This is acid, which is usually used in the context of needs for making certain materials. So it’s easy to get,” said Josias to Kompas.com on Monday (27/4/2026).

According to Josias, acid attacks are not a new modus operandi of crime. This action has long occurred and is generally triggered by feelings of hurt.

He explained that perpetrators often choose acid not to kill, but to vent emotions by damaging the victim’s body.

Meanwhile, another UI criminologist, Adrianus Meliala, assesses that there is a spectrum of motives behind acid attacks, ranging from emotional impulses to political motives.

He cited the case that befell Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, as one suspected to have a different motive.

According to him, an action can be categorised as planned if it involves specific activities not done in daily life, such as buying acid and determining the target.

“That’s a specific and characteristic activity, not something done every day or by everyone. Well, that’s already planned, especially those with political nature, there must be elements of planning,” he explained when contacted separately.

Adrianus also urged stricter oversight of acid sales, for example by installing surveillance cameras (CCTV), registering buyers, and issuing appeals to the public.

A series of acid attack cases have occurred in the last few months. The first incident was reported on 6 February 2026 in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, involving two students against another student. The perpetrators admitted to obtaining the hydrochloric acid (HCl) from school practical activities.