National Police Commission Urges Transparency and Accountability in Acid Attack Case Against KontraS Activist

The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) has assured that Polda Metro Jaya is handling the case of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus in an accountable manner. Kompolnas Commissioner Choirul Anam stated that his organisation is monitoring the investigation process at Polda Metro Jaya. “I believe the most important aspect in the process presented by Polda Metro Jaya yesterday, where I was also involved, is that the investigation has been conducted accountably,” Anam said when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday (19/3). He noted that indicators of Polda Metro Jaya’s accountability include showing every stage of the process to the public, from handling procedures and results to concrete evidence. “What is the concrete form? It’s CCTV footage and even the initials of the names. This is a very positive step in how law enforcement is proceeding,” he said. Furthermore, all bases for verification—such as the CCTV footage, the number of points, and details of the incident—are accessible to the public. According to Anam, the law enforcement process for this case by Polda Metro Jaya is a positive step. “This is a positive initiative from Polda Metro Jaya that we need to support for the case’s resolution,” he said. “I think accountability is key to how law enforcement proceeds,” Anam added. Previously reported, Polda Metro Jaya revealed two suspected perpetrators in the acid attack case against KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus, with initials BHC and MAK. “We can inform that the two individuals we presented earlier, based on police data, are one with initials BHC and one with initials MAK,” said Director of Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Pol Iman Imanuddin, during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (18/3). However, Iman explained that the investigation does not rule out the possibility of more than four perpetrators, as per initial information and statements from 15 witnesses. Additionally, TNI Military Police Centre Commander Major General TNI Yusri Nuryanto stated that Puspom TNI has detained four TNI personnel suspected of involvement in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. The four detained individuals are members of the TNI serving at the Intelligence Strategic Body Headquarters Detachment (Denma BAIS) TNI, with initials NDP, SL, BWH, and ES. Puspom TNI has successfully countered public scepticism regarding the handling of legal cases involving rogue apparatus. President Prabowo also stated that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including activists voicing criticism. Margarito emphasised that in a democratic rule-of-law state, the primary aspect to uphold is the professionalism of law enforcement officers. The Ministry of Human Rights stated that the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus has strategic dimensions, attracting widespread public attention as well as international scrutiny. Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, asserted that the suspected perpetrators of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus should be tried in a general court. He explained that in the context of geopolitics and national stability, clarity of information and firmness of the apparatus are key factors.