JK Suspects Acid Attack on Activist Andrie Yunus Related to His Activities

Jakarta — Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla has called on the police to thoroughly investigate the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, an activist with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

“Of course, we are concerned and regret that this occurred with the hope that the police will truly investigate it,” Kalla said, as quoted by Kompas TV on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Kalla suspected the acid attack may be connected to the activities conducted by Andrie Yunus. Consequently, he believed the police should actively investigate the case thoroughly.

However, Kalla also cautioned that the perpetrator’s motive cannot yet be determined. He noted there was a possibility the perpetrator acted spontaneously without a clear motive.

“There are also, as we know, senior secondary school students whose hobby is merely mischief, to do something like that. We do not know this. So it is up to the police to actively investigate it,” he added.

During the occasion, Kalla also referenced an acid attack case that previously befell Novel Baswedan, a former investigator at the Anti-Corruption Commission, some years ago.

According to Kalla, the similarity in methods between the two cases raised the possibility of a particular group behind the incidents. Nevertheless, he was reluctant to speculate further.

“Because this happened after the KPK case, that Novel Baswedan, he was attacked again. That means there is a group or someone, we do not know,” he said.

Previously, the acid attack on Andrie Yunus was confirmed by Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of KontraS’s Working Body.

The case has also been confirmed by the Jakarta Central Police, which is currently conducting an investigation.

“Particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest, and the eye area,” said Dimas in an official statement confirmed by Kompas.com on Friday, 13 March 2026.

The incident occurred shortly after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.

The recording ended at approximately 23:00 Western Indonesia Time.

Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. From the examination results, the victim suffered burns on both hands, chest, face, and eyes.

“Based on the information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack is an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders,” said Dimas.