Government Appreciates Police for Identifying Suspect in Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government, through the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom), appreciates the steps taken by the National Police (Polri) in identifying the suspected perpetrator of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
Head of Bakom, Angga Raka Prabowo, in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that this effort is an important part in ensuring that law enforcement proceeds on an evidence-based manner.
“We appreciate the police’s efforts in handling this case, which quickly succeeded in identifying the perpetrator. The government expresses deep concern over this incident and hopes that Mr Andrie Yunus can recover soon,” he said.
Developments in the law enforcement of this case are strengthened by the steps taken by the Military Police Centre (Puspom) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which has secured four personnel suspected of being involved as perpetrators.
Angga assessed that the swift and professional response of law enforcement apparatus, in this case Polri and TNI, is an important element in maintaining public trust amid a sensitive situation.
“We note the swift and professional steps of the apparatus, both Polri and Puspom TNI, as part of the law enforcement process that runs openly and evidence-based,” he said.
The government emphasises that any act of violence against citizens, whoever the perpetrator, cannot be tolerated. Therefore, the government is committed to ensuring that the legal process runs firmly, transparently, and accountably.
“Whoever the perpetrator is must be processed according to applicable law,” said Angga.
In addition, the government also emphasises that the alleged involvement of individuals in the incident does not reflect the institution as a whole. The state has an interest in maintaining the integrity of institutions while ensuring public trust remains intact.
The government respects the TNI’s steps in handling openly the alleged involvement of its members. This, according to Angga, reflects the state institution’s commitment to maintaining discipline, professionalism, and integrity in the face of the public.
Amid the ongoing legal process, the government urges the public to remain calm and not to spread unverified information.
“The government urges the public to remain wise in responding to information and not to spread unverified information,” said Angga.
The government is committed to overseeing the law enforcement of this case to completion and ensuring protection for every citizen in exercising their rights.
“The state ensures that democratic spaces remain safe and protected,” thus Angga.
It is known that Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Andrie Yunus was attacked by unknown persons in Central Jakarta on Thursday night (12/3).
The incident occurred shortly after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) discussing the topic of militarism and judicial review of the TNI Law.
In its developments, the Metro Jaya Regional Police has revealed two initial suspects in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.
“We can inform that the two people we showed earlier from this Polri data are one initial BHC, and one initial MAK,” said Director of General Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Regional Police, Commissioner Pol. Iman Imanuddin, during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the Military Police Centre or Puspom TNI stated that it has detained four personnel over alleged involvement in the case.
Commander of Puspom TNI Major General TNI Yusri Nuryanto in Jakarta on Wednesday said that the four personnel with initials NDP, SL, BWH, and ES were detained at Puspom TNI for further investigation.
“We convey that all four suspected perpetrators are members of the BAIS TNI Headquarters Detachment (Denma BAIS). So, not from any unit, but from Denma BAIS TNI,” he said.