Lawyers' Association Urges Prabowo to Form Fact-Finding Team to Investigate Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus
The Legal Aid Centre of the Indonesian Lawyers’ Association (PBH AAI) Jakarta East branch has commended the rapid performance of the TNI’s Puspom in arresting four TNI personnel suspected of throwing acid at KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. They are urging President Prabowo Subianto to form a fact-finding team.
However, PBH AAI Jakarta East Director Maruli Tua Rajagukguk stated that Puspom TNI must identify the intellectual actors and make the case more transparent.
“PBH AAI gives a thumbs up to the swift work of Puspom TNI in arresting four TNI personnel with initials NDP, SL, BWH, and ES,” he said on Friday (20/3/2026).
He hopes the TNI can ensure such cases do not recur and that the follow-up process for arresting these TNI members is open and accessible to the public, especially during their trial.
Andrie Yunus is one of the activists who interrupted a meeting discussing the TNI Bill held by Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) RI and the government at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, on 15 March 2025.
Andrie Yunus, along with several representatives from the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform, entered the meeting room and expressed rejection of the TNI Law revision.
Andrie Yunus and several human rights activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) object to the enactment of the TNI Law due to the addition of two authorities.
Several articles are seen as representing the return of the TNI’s dual function, like the New Order, which is highly tendentious and excessive. “So, it’s only natural. What’s the problem,” he said.
Jakarta East Branch Chairman of the Indonesian Lawyers’ Association (DPC AAI), Mapajanci Ridwan Saleh, stated that the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus must be investigated to its intellectual actors.
“If under President Prabowo’s leadership it cannot be resolved, it will lower public trust in President Prabowo’s government, thus prolonging the chain of impunity in the country like past human rights violations where perpetrators and masterminds have not been revealed to this day,” he emphasised.
For this reason, he said, PBH AAI Jakarta East is requesting and urging President Prabowo to summon the Minister of Defence, National Police Chief, TNI Commander, National Human Rights Commission, and civil society to form an Independent Fact-Finding Team in the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus.
“President Prabowo must form an Independent Fact-Finding Team (TIPF) to thoroughly investigate the case. The arrested perpetrators should be tried in the General Court,” he stated.
President Prabowo, he added, is expected to guarantee an objective and accountable law enforcement process in the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus by announcing to the public the results of the investigation conducted by the TIPF.
In addition, PBH AAI is urging the Witness and Victim Protection Agency to provide maximum protection and recovery for Andrie Yunus as the crime victim, including physical and mental medical recovery.
“We (PBH AAI) urge the Working Committee (Panja) formed by Commission III of the DPR to strengthen the TIPF’s efforts in resolving the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, so that the true facts can be revealed,” he hoped.
The suspected acid attack case on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus and the involvement of rogue TNI members in this case has become a test for the credibility of the military justice system in the eyes of the public.
Founder of the Lokataru Foundation, Haris Azhar, emphasised that the handling of the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus must be brought to the general court.
Prabowo also stated that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism.
The Setara Institute is calling for the formation of an independent fact-finding team for the acid attack case on Andrie Yunus. Four BAIS TNI members have been detained, and Commission III of the DPR has formed a working committee.
The Ministry of Human Rights stated that the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus has strategic dimensions, attracting wide public attention as well as international spotlight.
According to him, the law enforcement process for this case handled by Metro Jaya Police is a positive step.
Prabowo also stated that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism.
Margarito emphasised that in a democratic rule-of-law state, the main aspect that must be upheld is the professionalism of law enforcement apparatus.
The Ministry of Human Rights stated that the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus has strategic dimensions, attracting wide public attention as well as international spotlight.