Metro Jaya Police Pledge to Thoroughly Investigate Caustic Acid Attack on Kontras Activist
The Metro Jaya Police have reaffirmed their commitment to thoroughly investigating the caustic acid attack that injured Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of Kontras, a human rights organisation. The case, which undermines democratic values, has now become a top priority for police, with direct supervision from the National Police Headquarters to the Office of the President.
Brigadier General Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Police, stated that investigative teams are working with extra effort in the field. The case is being pursued using scientific methods to guarantee objectivity.
“The police’s primary focus is to identify and apprehend those responsible for this criminal act that undermines democracy through scientific crime investigation methods,” Budi stated firmly in Jakarta on Sunday (15 March).
Budi added that Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri has given special attention to the case. “Let us give space to the joint team from Central Jakarta Metro Police and the Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police to work quickly to uncover and apprehend the perpetrators,” he continued.
As a concrete step, Metro Jaya Police now provides special facilities for the public and activists:
Police guarantee security and confidentiality of identity for anyone willing to provide information regarding the incident.
“To all witnesses who heard, saw, knew or directly experienced this incident, we urge you to provide information to us,” said Budi. He assured that the National Police would remain professional, proportionate and accountable at every stage of the case.
In a separate development, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo revealed that President Prabowo Subianto has issued firm instructions to resolve the case transparently.
When inspecting Gubeng Station in Surabaya on Sunday, the National Police Chief emphasised the importance of deepening information systematically.
“Regarding the development of the activist’s acid attack case, I have received direct orders from the President to carry out thorough investigations in a professional and transparent manner,” said Sigit.
The National Police Chief explained that the scientific crime investigation approach aims to ensure that each stage of case handling is based on strong evidence. “Currently we are gathering information and that information will subsequently be examined one by one,” he said.
The attack is believed to have been carefully planned.