JK Urges Serious Investigation into Acid Attack on KontraS Activist

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia) expressed regret over the acid attack targeting KontraS (Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence) activist Andrie Yunus, and called on police to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

“Regarding the acid attack victim, we are certainly concerned and saddened that this occurred,” said Kalla in response to journalists’ questions at his residence on Jalan Brawijaya, South Jakarta, on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Kalla then recalled a similar incident involving Novel Baswedan, a senior investigator at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at that time. According to Kalla, an acid attack is a serious matter.

“With the hope that the police will truly investigate this case, because this comes after the KPK incident with Novel Baswedan back then, and now it’s happened again,” he said.

He therefore expressed hope that the police could conduct a thorough investigation into the case. Kalla suspected the incident was related to issues raised by Andrie Yunus.

“It appears there is a group or someone involved—we don’t know yet—so police should investigate what connection exists with the activities in question. We need to look at it this way: who was harmed and why they would act this way,” he concluded.

For context, the acid attack is believed to have occurred on Thursday, 12 March, around 23:30 Western Indonesian Time on Jalan Salemba, Senen, Central Jakarta.

In CCTV footage that circulated, two men on a motorcycle appeared to pass through the location initially. They turned their motorcycle around until they came face-to-face with the victim.

The victim, who was riding a motorcycle at the time, was doused with acid by the perpetrators. The victim immediately felt a burning sensation and dropped his motorcycle at the roadside, screaming hysterically.

“Ah… ah… ah… it burns… it burns… it burns. Acid… acid. God help me, acid… acid… acid,” the victim screamed, as seen in the CCTV footage on Friday, 13 March.

The victim immediately removed his clothing. His shirt was torn and his body was blistered from the acid.

The victim’s screams immediately attracted the attention of residents. People came to the victim’s aid.

“LBH? LBH?” asked residents, referring to the Legal Aid Institute.

“KontraS,” replied the victim.