Police Must Urgently Reveal Perpetrators Behind Acid Attack on KontraS Vice Coordinator

The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) has strongly condemned an acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), in the Salemba area of Central Jakarta on Friday 13 March 2026. Kompolnas member Choirul Anam stressed that the attack on the human rights activist is not merely ordinary criminal conduct, but a serious threat to Indonesia’s democratic processes.

Anam assessed that the assault on Andrie Yunus represents an attempt to send a message of terror against humanitarian work protected by the constitution. “First and foremost, the act of violence against KontraS activists is indeed a serious threat to our democratic processes. Yes, this is not simply ordinary violence, but violence that sends a message about the state of our democracy,” said Anam in a statement on Friday 13 March 2026.

Anam urged the police force to work maximally and swiftly in uncovering those behind and the motives for the attack. Anam emphasised the importance of transparency in the investigation process to maintain public trust, particularly among the human rights community. “We urge the police to work maximally to uncover this incident transparently and accountably. This transparency is particularly important for our colleagues at KontraS and other human rights workers,” he asserted.

Furthermore, the former Commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights stated that the police hold a crucial role in demonstrating state presence in protecting its citizens. The resolution of this case will serve as an indicator of the extent to which the state can guarantee security for democracy advocates. “The state must not be defeated by acts of violence. The police’s work in combating this violence demonstrates that the state is present and not overwhelmed by such actions,” Anam added.