Ministry of Human Rights: State to Bear Medical Costs for Andrie Yunus
The Ministry of Human Rights stated that medical treatment and recovery costs for Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), will be borne by the state. Deputy Human Rights Minister Mugiyanto Sipin expressed sympathy and solidarity with Andrie, who became a victim of a caustic soda attack on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026.
He hoped Andrie would recover quickly with the best care at the hospital. “The Ministry of Human Rights ensures that the State will bear all medical treatment and recovery costs until complete,” said Mugiyanto in a written statement, cited on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Mugiyanto urged the Indonesian National Police to accelerate the investigation and disclosure of clear and comprehensive information regarding the caustic soda attack on Andrie Yunus. “So that all of us, including the government, can gain certainty, and prevent speculation and wild narratives that ultimately damage the government’s commitment to respecting and protecting human rights,” he said.
He asked police not to treat the incident as a minor matter. For Mugiyanto, the attack on Andrie is a serious problem that could undermine Indonesia’s credibility as a nation.
Human rights activist Andrie Yunus was doused with caustic soda whilst on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. Andrie was sprayed with a dangerous solution by two unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle.
The two perpetrators approached from the opposite direction to Andrie. The assailants sprayed caustic soda onto the front of Andrie’s body. The corrosive chemical liquid struck the right side of Andrie’s body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands. Part of the victim’s clothing also melted as a result of contact with the caustic soda.
According to medical records, Andrie suffered burns covering 24 per cent of his body. Andrie Yunus also underwent eye surgery following exposure to the caustic soda.
The caustic soda attack on Andrie Yunus case has drawn global attention. The United Nations urged Indonesia to investigate the attack on the deputy coordinator of the civil society organisation Kontras.
President Prabowo Subianto ordered his administration to investigate the caustic soda attack on Andrie Yunus. Prabowo conveyed the instruction specifically to the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Sigit assured that police would continue working and would regularly provide updates on any developments regarding this case. “Because this has become a serious concern for the President,” said Sigit on Sunday, 15 March 2026, according to a statement from the Indonesian Government Communications Agency.
Sigit stated that he received a direct order from Prabowo to investigate the caustic soda attack on Andrie professionally and transparently. According to Sigit, police would trace the attack case through a scientific crime investigation approach based on scientific investigation methods.