Man arrested for dousing ex-girlfriend with caustic acid in Makassar

Police have arrested a 35-year-old man identified as A for allegedly causing grievous bodily harm by dousing his ex-girlfriend, a 38-year-old woman identified as U, with caustic acid in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

According to Iptu Abdul Latif, head of the criminal investigation unit at Tamalate Police Station, the suspect deliberately travelled to Makassar to find the victim after tracking down her residence on Jalan Deppasawi in Tamalate District.

The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, 16 March 2026. The suspect poured caustic acid on the victim through her bedroom window. According to the police account, the victim initially believed someone was knocking on the window, possibly an animal, and opened it slightly, at which point the suspect threw the acid inside.

The suspect immediately fled the scene following the attack. The victim’s family reported the incident to Tamalate Police Station, and officers from the unit mobile response team, assisted by personnel from the metropolitan police headquarters, launched an investigation. The suspect was apprehended early Tuesday morning whilst being pursued on Jalan Tanjung Bunga in Makassar.

The suspect and victim had previously been in a close romantic relationship. However, the relationship deteriorated, and the victim ended things six months ago. The suspect refused to accept the breakup and attempted reconciliation, which the victim rejected. This led to the suspect travelling to Makassar to commit the attack.

The victim was immediately taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar following the incident. The caustic acid caused extensive burn injuries covering much of her body, and she is undergoing intensive treatment.

Police recovered evidence including plastic gloves and a handwritten notebook belonging to the suspect containing accusations that the victim was unfaithful and claims, without evidence, of illicit encounters at a lodging facility.