TNI Soldiers Douse KontraS Activist with Caustic Liquid, Legal Process Demanded to Be Transparent
Jakarta - Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, Sukamta, has urged the state not to be defeated by the perpetrators from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) who carried out the act of dousing KontraS activist Andrie Yunus with caustic liquid.
Sukamta emphasised that acts of violence, especially using caustic liquid, constitute a serious violation of human rights principles.
“This incident is not just an ordinary criminal act, but also a threat to civil freedoms and democratic space. The state must not be defeated by such violent practices,” Sukamta told Kompas.com on Wednesday (18/3/2026).
He called for no efforts to cover up the case. Sukamta stated that the intellectual actors behind this case must also be revealed openly.
“We in Commission I of the House of Representatives will monitor this case seriously. Law enforcement must reach to the root, including if there are parties who ordered or planned the action,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Sukamta stressed the importance of internal evaluations within the TNI to ensure professionalism and maintain public trust in the national defence institution.
“Therefore, every violation by rogue elements must be firmly addressed so as not to damage public trust in the institution as a whole,” Sukamta explained.
Sukamta also reminded that the protection of activists and human rights defenders is part of the state’s constitutional commitment.
“Human rights activists are an important pillar in safeguarding democracy. The state is obliged to provide protection, not become a source of threats,” he added.
The four soldiers are Captain NDP, Lieutenant SL, Lieutenant BHW, and Sergeant ES.
“So now, the four suspects in question have been secured at the TNI Military Police Corps headquarters for further investigation leading to prosecution,” stated the Deputy Chief of the TNI Military Police, Major General TNI Yusri Nuryanto, during a press conference on Wednesday (18/3/2026).
Andrie Yunus himself was doused with caustic liquid by unknown individuals in Central Jakarta on Thursday night (12/3/2026).