Former TNI BAIS Chief Reveals Possibility of "Double Agent" in Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Case

Jakarta - Former Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), Laksamana Muda (Ret.) Soleman B Ponto, alluded to suspicions of a “double agent” within BAIS TNI. He made this statement when providing expert military testimony in the trial for the acid attack on KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus. In this case, four BAIS members are defendants: Sersan Dua Edi Sudarko, Letnan Satu (Lettu) Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, Kapten Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and Lettu Sami Lakka. “So, the members in Denma were used by others? It could be. There are double agents. In intelligence, the existence of double agents is not denied. So, it’s possible,” Ponto replied. The judge then asked Ponto about the possibility that the acid attack defendants were part of a double agent operation. “Well, that depends on the investigation whether in this examination it can be proven that there is a double agent. Whether they are connected to others who might also have a grudge against Andrie and used their hands, it could be,” Ponto explained. The judge also inquired about BAIS unit members in Denma or Detasemen Markas not being required to have intelligence assessments. “I just want to confirm to the expert witness that personnel placed in Denma are not required to have intel assessments and are not involved in BAIS unit operational intelligence activities,” the judge asked. Previously, Andrie Yunus was doused with acid by four TNI members in central Jakarta. The motive was offence taken at Andrie interrupting a meeting discussing revisions to the TNI Law at the Fairmont Jakarta Hotel on 16 March 2025. “The defendants considered Brother Andrie Yunus to have insulted the TNI institution and even trampled on the TNI institution,” stated Military Auditor Letnan Kolonel Corps Hukum (Chk) TNI Muhammad Iswadi in the trial at the Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday. The four defendants are charged with multiple articles, namely Article 469 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code as the primary charge, Article 468 paragraph (1) as subsidiary, and Articles 467 paragraphs (1) and (2) as further subsidiary, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023.