SETARA: Only TGPF is the Option for Resolving the Andrie Yunus Case

The National Council Chairman of the SETARA Institute, Hendardi, assesses that President Prabowo Subianto has no alternative in handling the case of KontraS activist Andrie Yunus except by forming a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF).

“In the polemic of handling the Andrie Yunus case so far, President Prabowo Subianto has no other choice but to form a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) for the acid splashing case against Andrie Yunus,” Hendardi stated in a written statement on Sunday, 29 March 2026.

According to Hendardi, this step is the most objective choice for the President to ensure the matter is clarified, the public’s right to know is addressed proportionately and professionally, it deters the perpetrators, and achieves justice for the victim.

Hendardi explained why the TGPF is the only option for Prabowo. He stated there are two crucial developments for law enforcement. First, the resignation of the Head of the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, which the TNI claims as accountability for the acid splashing case against Andrie. Yudi’s position was then replaced by Major General TNI Achmad Rizal Ramdhani.

Second, the impression of a weakening investigation process by the National Police (Polri), which previously carried out the President’s instructions quickly and proactively. The police have already informed the public about the investigation of the suspects. In fact, the police have provided the initials of two direct perpetrators of the acid splashing against Andrie Yunus. However, these initials differ from the TNI’s version of the suspects.

In light of these two developments, Hendardi said the TGPF is the only reasonable choice for the President. However, he reminded that the TGPF must be formed by the President involving a combination of independent investigators, including legal experts, academics, and civil society.

The formation of the TGPF must also guarantee strong and broad access for the investigation, serving as the right momentum to restore public trust. They must be authorised to conduct independent investigations and inquiries to uncover the Andrie Yunus case holistically.

“If it truly involves BAIS members, what is the chain of command, is there a role for the highest commander in the unit and what is the level of responsibility of the person concerned, and so on,” Hendardi said.

Not only stopping at the investigation, Hendardi emphasised that the TGPF’s findings must be followed up with proof in general courts, not ad hoc courts, let alone military courts. Because the alleged military involvement in this case is entirely general criminal, not military criminal.

Hendardi explained that the process and procedure of law enforcement (due process of law) against citizens who commit crimes must be treated the same by looking at the type of crime, not the subject of the perpetrator. “Whoever, whether the President, Minister, DPR members, police members, military personnel, or other civilians, must submit to general courts to be held accountable for the alleged crimes committed,” he said.

Andrie Yunus was splashed with acid by two unknown individuals on Thursday night, 12 March 2026, around 23:37 WIB on Jalan Salemba I Talang, Central Jakarta. He was then taken to the Emergency Installation (IGD) of RSCM on Friday early morning, 13 March 2026, with complaints of burns on his face, neck, chest, back, and both arms, accompanied by vision disturbance in his right eye. The corrosive liquid caused Andrie Yunus to suffer burns on 20 percent of his body.

After the incident, President Prabowo, through State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi after a meeting at the Ministry of Defence Office on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, ordered the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to thoroughly investigate the acid splashing terror case against Andrie Yunus. The President instructed the Police Chief to investigate the case objectively, transparently, and as quickly as possible.

“If the President allows law enforcement practices that are the opposite of the President’s previous orders, do not blame the public if they judge Prabowo’s orders as mere rhetoric,” Hendardi said.