Prabowo Labels Acid Attack on Activist as Terrorism: We Must Investigate Thoroughly!

Jakarta – President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto stated that the case of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus constitutes a serious criminal act classified as terrorism. He emphasised that the acid attack on Andrie Yunus must be thoroughly investigated all the way to the masterminds behind the incident. “This is terrorism. This is a barbaric act. We must pursue it. We must investigate it. We must investigate it!” Prabowo said, quoted from a release by the Indonesian Communication Agency (Bakom), Thursday, 19 March 2026. Prabowo explained that law enforcement must not stop at the field perpetrators but must be able to uncover the intellectual actors behind the incident. “(Including) who ordered it, who paid for it,” he stated. Furthermore, Prabowo affirmed that the state will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens, including against activists who voice criticism. He assured that if there is involvement of apparatus in the violence case, the legal process must proceed without favouritism. “Of course (if it’s from the apparatus). There won’t be! (impunity). I guarantee it!” he said. “I want to uphold the law. I want a civilised Indonesia. There must be no such actions,” Prabowo added. Previously reported, four TNI soldiers were involved in the acid attack on the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus. This was revealed by the TNI Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Police, Major General (Mayjen) TNI Yusri Nuryanto. Yusri said he had only received information regarding the alleged involvement of the four TNI soldiers that morning on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. “So this morning, I received from the TNI Denma Bais, four people suspected of carrying out the assault against Mr Andrie Yunus,” Yusri said during a press conference on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. Yusri explained that the four TNI soldiers have been secured. His side is currently delving into the motive behind the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. “So we are also still investigating what the motive is from the four suspected perpetrators,” he stated. Yusri noted that the four perpetrators are members of the Denma of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).