Prabowo: Attack on Activist Andrie Constitutes Terrorism, Investigate Thoroughly
President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the case of the acid splashing against activist Andrie Yunus constitutes a serious criminal act classified as terrorism. He has urged law enforcement authorities to investigate the case thoroughly, all the way to the masterminds behind it.
This statement was delivered by Prabowo during a question-and-answer session with journalists in Jakarta on Thursday (19/3). He described the violent act as a barbaric action that cannot be tolerated.
“This is terrorism. This is a barbaric act. We must pursue it. We must investigate it. We must investigate it!” Prabowo stressed in a written statement from the Government Communication Agency (Bakom).
According to him, law enforcement must not stop at the on-site perpetrators. The authorities, Prabowo said, must be capable of uncovering the intellectual actors behind the incident.
“Including who ordered it, who paid for it,” he stated.
Prabowo also emphasised that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism. He assured that the legal process will proceed without favouritism, even if there is involvement from state apparatus.
“Of course (if it’s from the apparatus). There will be no impunity. I guarantee it!” he said.
He added that his commitment is to enforce the law and ensure Indonesia becomes a civilised nation.
“I want to enforce the law. I want a civilised Indonesia. There must be no actions like this,” he stated.
Several days after the acid splashing incident against Andrie, a joint team from the Indonesian National Police and the TNI Military Police Centre has secured four TNI personnel suspected of being involved in the case.
The Commander of the TNI Military Police Detachment (Dandenpom) TNI, Yusri Nuryanto, stated that the suspected perpetrators consist of three officers and one non-commissioned officer.
“I was chosen by the people to defend the people. But we must remain vigilant, I ask for a proper investigation. All the way to the actors,” said Prabowo.