Prabowo Labels Acid Attack on Activist as Terrorism: Barbaric!

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has urged that the case of the acid attack on the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Andrie Yunus, be thoroughly investigated.

The Head of State described this act as a serious criminal offence falling under the category of terrorism.

“This is terrorism. This is a barbaric act. We must pursue it. We must investigate it. We must investigate it!” Prabowo stated firmly, as quoted from a release by the Indonesian State Communication Agency (Bakom), on Thursday (19/3/2026).

Prabowo emphasised that law enforcement must not stop at the field perpetrators. He urged that the intellectual authors behind the case be uncovered.

“(Including) who ordered it, who paid for it,” he stressed.

According to Prabowo, the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism.

If there is involvement of state apparatus in the violence case, Prabowo continued, then the legal process must proceed.

“Of course (if it’s from the apparatus). There will be no (impunity). I guarantee it!” Prabowo said.

“I want to uphold the law. I want a civilised Indonesia. There must be no such actions,” he added emphatically.

As a result of the attack, Andrie suffered burns to several parts of his body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands.

From the investigation results, four Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel were involved in the acid attack on the Kontras activist.

“The four suspected perpetrators are from the TNI’s Denma Bais,” said the TNI’s Danpuspom, Major General (Mayjen) TNI Yusri Nuryanto, during a press conference at TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, on Wednesday.