Deputy Minister Condemns Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist: Arrest the Perpetrators
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak has condemned the acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus of KontraS, calling for immediate arrest of the perpetrators and masterminds.
“I strongly condemn whoever perpetrated the acid attack against the KontraS activist. There is no room for such terrorist perpetrators,” Dahnil told journalists on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
Dahnil urged police to swiftly investigate the case and identify those responsible and the orchestrators of the attack. “I will also push for law enforcement to quickly arrest and uncover who is behind this terror,” he asserted.
The Gerindra politician believes the perpetrators are attempting to provoke and create perceptions of an unstable domestic situation. “Clearly, the perpetrators must be trying to provoke the emergence of an unconducive national situation, fostering mutual suspicion and accusations amongst one another amid an uncertain global climate,” he concluded.
Earlier, KontraS Coordinating Board Chair Dimas Bagus Arya explained that the alleged acid attack on Andrie Yunus occurred at 11 p.m. on Thursday, 12 March. He said Yunus had been hosting a podcast at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.
Andrie Yunus was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Examination results revealed that he suffered 24 per cent burn injuries.
“Based on the information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack represents an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders. This is in accordance with Law Number 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, and the Regulation of Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission Number 5 of 2015 on Procedures for Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” explained Dimas.
National Police Commissioner Gives Special Attention
National Police Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has given special attention to the investigation into the alleged acid attack on Andrie Yunus. The police have guaranteed a thorough investigation.
“The National Police Commissioner, as head of the police force, has given special attention to the investigation and resolution of this case,” said the National Police Public Affairs Division Chief Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, 13 March.