Firm Stance! Prabowo Labels Acid Attack on Activist as Terrorism

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that the case of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus constitutes a serious criminal act classified as terrorism, which must be investigated all the way to the masterminds behind the incident.

The statement was delivered by Prabowo during a question-and-answer session with journalists. “This is terrorism. This is a barbaric act. We must pursue it. We must investigate it. We must investigate it!” Prabowo stressed in a press release from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom) on Thursday (19/3/2026).

The President emphasised that law enforcement must not stop at the on-site perpetrators but must be capable of uncovering the intellectual actors behind the incident, “[including] who ordered it, who paid for it,” he concluded.

Prabowo also affirmed that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism. He assured that if there is involvement of state apparatus in the violence case, the legal process must proceed without favour.

“Of course (if it’s from the apparatus). There will be none! (impunity). I guarantee it!” he said.

“I want to uphold the law. I want a civilised Indonesia. Such actions must not be allowed,” he stated.

A few days after the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) along with the TNI Military Police Centre (Puspom) have secured four TNI personnel suspected of being involved in the acid attack.

TNI Dandenpom Major General Yusri Nuryanto stated that the suspected perpetrators consist of three officers and one non-commissioned officer.

“I was chosen by the people to defend the people. But we must remain vigilant, I demand a thorough investigation. All the way to the actors,” said Prabowo.