Rights Activist Splashed with Caustic Liquid; Rights Minister Denounces Violence and Thuggery

Jakarta — Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has firmly stated that thuggery and vigilante violence cannot be permitted in Indonesia.

Pigai responded to the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

“I have already condemned it. We cannot allow thuggery to exist in this country,” Pigai said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Pigai stressed that the nation must be safe and peaceful. He urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the perpetrators and insisted there must be justice for the victim and his family.

“On behalf of the government, I am deeply concerned about this incident and it must not happen again,” he said.

Pigai highlighted the importance of resolving differences of opinion properly. “This nation is strong because of civil society communities. They serve as checks and balances on all aspects of our national and state life,” he said.

Yunus, a KontraS activist, was splashed with caustic liquid by an unknown assailant. According to Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of KontraS’s Working Body, the acid caused serious injuries across Yunus’s body, particularly on both hands, face, chest and around the eyes.

The incident occurred around 23:00 Western Indonesia Time. Yunus was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination revealed he suffered burns covering 24 per cent of his body.

“Based on information we have gathered, we believe this acid attack represents an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders,” Dimas said in an official statement.