Experts Warn of Potential Delegitimisation of TNI in Acid Attack Case

The handling of the acid attack case against activist Andrie Yunus continues to capture public attention. The swift actions of the TNI Military Police Centre (Puspom) in investigating the involvement of its rogue members are seen as a strong commitment by the institution to uphold the supremacy of law and public trust.

Since the case emerged, Puspom TNI has moved tactically to make arrests and conduct examinations. Transparency is a priority, with the identities and roles of the suspected perpetrators openly disclosed to the public.

Professor Kadri, Professor of Communication at UIN Mataram, emphasised the importance of positioning this case as an individual action. According to him, the public must clearly separate personal behaviour from the dignity of the TNI institution.

“In my view, this issue should be placed as a rogue element. It cannot be drawn to the institution. It is not wise. It must be positioned as a rogue element,” he told reporters on Tuesday (24/3).

He warned of the potential for opinion manipulation that could harm the TNI institution as a whole. However, he noted that the TNI has long been an institution of pride for society.

“I fear that this issue could be steered towards character assassination of the institution that has been a source of pride. Do not let this case lead to delegitimisation of the institution that should be strengthened,” he said.

Furthermore, he assessed that in the current information era, society is easily influenced by narratives that may not be complete. Therefore, clarity and consistency of information from the institution are key.

“Nowadays, society quickly believes certain information. Clarity is needed to avoid bias,” he stated.

From a public communication perspective, he viewed the TNI’s step of openly disclosing information as the right strategy to avoid confusion.

“The TNI has dared to explain this transparently. In communication, something ambiguous makes the public unable to fully grasp the message. Message certainty is important. This is what the public is waiting for,” he explained.

He also assessed that the TNI has shown a sufficiently clear stance on handling the case, including revealing which rogue elements are involved.

“I think the TNI has been clear. Who the rogue perpetrators are and so on. The TNI must also be aware of attempts or signals of this delegitimisation,” he added.

On the other hand, President Prabowo Subianto’s firm stance emphasising that whoever the perpetrators are must be punished further strengthens the message of law enforcement without discrimination.

“Mr Prabowo’s statement as president is firm. Those who are guilty must be punished. The president, with a military background, shows a firm attitude. This must be seriously implemented by the apparatus handling the case,” he said.

He is optimistic that the TNI will resolve this case professionally and will not tolerate legal violations internally.

“I am optimistic that the TNI will resolve this case. They will not take it lightly,” he concluded.

An example of such firmness is seen in the shooting case involving a TNI rogue element against police apparatus in Lampung related to a cockfighting location dispute. In that case, the perpetrator, a TNI soldier, was given a very heavy sentence up to the death penalty in the military court process. This decision shows that the military court does not hesitate to impose maximum punishments for serious violations committed by its members.

In addition, in various other cases, military courts have often imposed firm sentences in the form of long prison terms accompanied by dismissal from military service. This serves as evidence that the TNI’s internal mechanisms have strict and consistent law enforcement standards.

TNI Deputy Chief of Military Police Major General Yusri Nuryanto explained that the four TNI soldiers involved in the acid splashing are members of the Military Police of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). They come from the Navy (AL) and Air Force (AU) branches. Three of the four suspects hold officer ranks.

“So Captain NDB, Lieutenant SL, Lieutenant BHW, Sergeant ES. During the investigation, we will work as maximally as possible with the hope that we can complete it quickly and professionally,” said Yusri.

Yusri stated that the attack case against Andrie Yunus will be handled by the TNI through military justice mechanisms. He said the decision complies with Law No. 3 of 2025 on the TNI.

The law states that criminal acts involving TNI members are resolved through military courts. Yusri assured that this case will be handled professionally and transparently.

“So far, military trials have always been open; there is no such thing as closed trials,” he said.

Yusri promised to thoroughly investigate this case. He guaranteed that every stage of the case handling will be announced to the public.

“We will later report on the stages, starting from the investigation process, file compilation, then submission of files to the military prosecutor for trial,” he said.

Legal practitioner Agus Widjajanto appreciated this. According to Agus, transparency is needed to avoid confusion, which could be exploited by irresponsible parties.

“The TNI is no longer trapped in defensive practices. Transparency is key to building credibility.”

He also urged the public to remain calm and monitor the ongoing legal process. “Do not let us be pitted against each other by certain parties who want to create instability. Give space to law enforcers to uncover the real facts,” he concluded.

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Advocacy Association Centre demands that the acid attack case against KontraS activist be processed in general courts, not military ones.

The acid attack case on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus is urged to be brought to military courts because it involves TNI members as perpetrators.

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Advocacy Association Centre urges President Prabowo Subianto to form a fact-finding team for the case.