Not Caustic Water, Komnas HAM States Andrie Yunus Was Doused with Strong Acid Chemical

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Saurlin Siagian, has asked the public to use the term “strong acid chemical” to refer to the liquid used in the dousing of Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus.

This was stated based on information from the medical team at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) treating Andrie’s burns from the dousing incident on 12 March 2026.

“We had the opportunity to speak with the specialist doctors handling the case and RSCM management. First, the burns were caused by being doused with a strong acid chemical,” said Saurlin at RSCM, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026).

The term strong acid was chosen so that the public can better understand the nature of the substance, as the lay term “caustic water” has been used for various corrosive materials, not always the same as actual strong acid.

“So this might be the official term we can use together for the public. Previously, there were many other terms, like doused with caustic water and so on,” he continued.

In the process, Andrie is scheduled to undergo several surgical procedures.

Based on medical information, Andrie’s burns cover about 20 percent of his body and are estimated to fully recover in two years.

“Then, we received confirmation that the financing, alhamdulillah, is covered by BPJS,” added Saurlin.

On Thursday, Saurlin, along with Komnas HAM Commissioner Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi and Chair Anis Hidayah, met with RSCM leadership and the medical team treating Andrie.

The meeting aimed to gather information on Andrie’s condition from initial admission to the latest developments in medical treatment, including the impact of the burns on his physical and psychological state.

“Both short-term and long-term impacts, perhaps physically and psychologically that he may experience,” said Pramono.

Coordinator of KontraS Working Body, Dimas Bagus Arya, explained that the incident began after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The podcast was titled “Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia” and finished around 23:00 WIB.