TNI's BAIS Members Involved in Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus, Analyst: Likely Influence from Higher Actors

Researcher from the Indonesian Land Studies and Strategic Studies Institute (Lesperssi), Beni Sukardis, suspects that the involvement of four members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI) in the acid attack on Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, was influenced by higher actors.

“The alleged involvement of rogue elements from BAIS TNI as a strategic intelligence institution actually strengthens the assumption that there is likely a command dimension, or at least influence from higher actors within the organisational structure,” Beni explained when contacted by Kompas.com on Wednesday (18/3/2026).

According to him, in the highly hierarchical military context, a soldier’s actions, especially those related to cases of violence with political overtones, are rarely entirely personal initiatives.

“In military practice, superior-subordinate relations do not only run through formal orders, but also through signals, expectations, and organisational culture that can encourage or tolerate certain actions, including violence against civilian groups perceived as opposing,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Beni does not deny that internal discipline factors play an important role, but they are not the only explanation.

Violations of the law by soldiers, according to him, often reflect a combination of welfare issues, leadership quality, and institutional culture.

“Weak leadership in enforcing accountability or even permissiveness towards repressive actions can create space for behavioural deviations,” he added.

Previously reported, the Commander of the TNI Headquarters Military Police Centre (Danpuspom Mabes TNI) Major General Yusri Nuryanto stated that the four perpetrators of the acid attack on the KontraS activist, Andrie Yunus, came from the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).

“The four alleged perpetrators are from the BAIS TNI Legal Section,” Yusri said during a press conference at TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/3/2026).

“Their matrix is from the Navy and Air Force,” he clarified.

Nevertheless, Yusri has not announced the roles and motives of the acid attack on the activist.

“So we are still investigating the motive,” he emphasised.

For information, Andrie Yunus was doused with acid by unidentified persons (OTK) on Thursday night (12/3/2026).