Resignation of TNI's Kabais Head Seen as a Form of Leadership Accountability

The resignation of the Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais TNI) by Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo following the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus is seen as an important example for other institutions in upholding accountability and leadership responsibility. Karyono Wibowo, Executive Director of the Indonesia Public Institute, described the step as a rare practice of leadership that is highly relevant to emulate. “The resignation of Kabais TNI by Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo is a form of responsibility. Whatever the term, whether resignation or stepping down, in my view, this is a firm, positive step that must be appreciated,” Karyono said on Thursday, 26 March 2026. According to him, this attitude shows that leaders do not wash their hands of issues that attract public attention, even if the violation was committed by a rogue member. “This issue has become a public concern. Kabais TNI feels responsible for the actions of its rogue member. This is important as a lesson,” he said. Karyono emphasised that this step should become a new standard for other institutions in handling similar cases, especially those involving security apparatus. “This is what rarely happens. This resignation can serve as an example for other institutions to act similarly, especially in cases that attract public attention, such as the protection of online motorcycle taxi drivers or the shooting of innocent civilians resulting in fatalities, the Kanjuruhan tragedy which the public feels has not yet seen accountability,” Karyono said. He assessed that if this pattern is applied widely, it will strengthen public trust in state institutions while creating a deterrent effect. “Steps like this can create a deterrent effect and increase public trust. In that way, incidents like acid attacks or arbitrary actions by security personnel will not recur,” he continued. In addition, Karyono sees efforts by the TNI to continuously improve and adapt to democratic values as well as respect for human rights. “I see positive efforts from the TNI to change and adapt to the democratic climate, while prioritising human rights. This is an important point,” he said. Nevertheless, he reminded that the resignation must be followed by firm law enforcement against the perpetrators.