DPR Member: Acid Attack on KontraS Activist an Attempt to Silence Critical Voices
Jakarta — Andreas Hugo Pereira, Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, has assessed that the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), represents an attempt to silence critical voices within society, particularly human rights defenders.
He stated that Commission XIII of the House of Representatives strongly condemns the acid attack incident suffered by Andrie. Furthermore, there are already regulations in place to protect him.
“This acid attack is an attempt to silence critical voices within society, particularly human rights defenders, which, pursuant to Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, and Regulation of the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2015 concerning Procedures for Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” said Andreas when contacted on Friday (13 March 2026).
The PDI-P politician also reminded police authorities that they must be capable of uncovering the case, so that public confidence in law enforcement is not questioned.
“Police authorities must immediately conduct an investigation to uncover the perpetrators and the motives behind this brutal and utterly inhumane attack,” said Andreas. “It is pointless for this state to have police authorities if they are unable to find and uncover the perpetrator’s motives,” he concluded.
Previously reported, Andrie Yunus was attacked with acid by an unknown assailant. Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of the KontraS Working Body Board, stated that the attack caused Andrie to suffer serious injuries in several parts of his body. “Particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest, and eyes,” said Dimas in an official statement confirmed by Kompas.com on Friday.
The recording activity concluded at approximately 11:00 PM West Indonesian Time. Following the acid attack, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. From the examination results, he sustained burn injuries covering approximately 24 per cent of his body.