Komnas HAM urges examination of former KaBAIS following activist assault case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is urging an investigation into the Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (KaBAIS) Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, who has been dismissed, following the admission of involvement by four TNI members in the acid spraying incident against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.

Komnas HAM Commissioner Amiruddin al Rahab assessed that the dismissal from position is not yet sufficient to guarantee justice and human rights fulfilment in the case.

“The TNI Chief of Staff needs to order the TNI Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel to examine the dismissed KaBAIS transparently,” he stated in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday.

He emphasised that the examination is necessary to fully uncover the chain of responsibility, both at the executor level and the leadership.

“The examination is needed to ensure the degree of involvement and command responsibility of the leaders and members who planned, designed the action, and directly operated in the field to carry out the spraying,” said Amiruddin.

According to him, the step of dismissing the KaBAIS is an initial signal of accountability, but it does not yet reflect a comprehensive effort in law enforcement and human rights fulfilment.

In that context, Komnas HAM emphasises the importance of accountability for the use of state facilities as well as alleged abuse of authority by officials.

“In the context of protecting and fulfilling human rights, every use of state facilities and abuse of authority by officials and state apparatus must be legally accountable,” he stated.

Komnas HAM also requested that investigation access be opened as widely as possible, including to independent institutions, to ensure transparency in handling the case.

“The TNI Chief of Staff needs to open access to the parties, especially Komnas HAM, to be able to delve into the involvement of each TNI member suspected of being directly involved and participating in the acid spraying incident on the night of 12 March 2026,” said Amiruddin.

He added that a thorough examination of all parties, including leaders, is crucial to meet the public’s need for justice.

According to Komnas HAM, cases of terror against activists like that experienced by Andrie Yunus are not the first to occur, thus requiring firm and transparent law enforcement so that they do not continue to recur without clarity of accountability.