TNI's Swift Action in Uncovering Suspect in Acid Attack Case Strengthens Institutional Integrity
Swift action by the TNI Military Police Centre (Puspom) in uncovering the alleged acid attack on Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Andrie Yunus is beginning to yield results. After a series of intensive investigations, the military authorities have officially named a TNI member as a suspect in the case that has captured public attention.
The designation of the suspect is viewed as a positive signal for legal reform within the military. The cross-sector coordination and openness in information demonstrated by TNI Headquarters are considered distinguishing factors in handling recent violence cases involving officials.
National Coordinator of the Indonesian Millennial Activists Association (HAM-I), Asip Irama, has given high appreciation for Puspom TNI’s performance. According to him, this firm step proves that the slogan ‘TNI with the People’ is not merely rhetorical embellishment but is embodied in impartial rule of law.
“We from the Indonesian Millennial Activists Association highly appreciate the swift and firm action by Puspom TNI. Naming an internal member as a suspect shows strong commitment from the TNI Commander to cleanse the institution of individuals who betray public trust,” Asip stated in his remarks on Wednesday (18/3).
Transparency in Information
Asip emphasised that the TNI’s speed in identifying the perpetrator and disclosing it to the public is a form of transparency worthy of applause.
According to him, the public has often been sceptical when legal cases touch on rogue officials, but Puspom TNI has successfully broken that stigma.
In addition to appreciating Puspom, Asip Irama specifically highlighted the central role of the TNI Head of Information Centre (Kapuspen) in communicating case developments straightforwardly. He assessed that the current Kapuspen TNI’s communication style reflects the image of a future senior officer much needed by the institution.
“We see how Kapuspen TNI is able to manage information very well. He is a professional, open, and non-anti-criticism senior officer of the future. The narrative built is very transparent, leaving no room for fake news or wild speculation in society,” Asip praised.
For HAM-I, the professionalism of Kapuspen TNI serves as a guarantee that the information reaching the public is objective facts. A senior officer like this is seen as capable of bridging the relationship between the military and the critical millennial and Gen Z generations on information openness issues.
In his narrative, Asip also provided critical notes by comparing the handling of the Andrie Yunus case with several major past cases that still leave questions, one of which is the KM 50 incident.
“If we reflect on the disclosure of the KM 50 case which still feels dark to this day and leaves much speculation in society, what TNI has done in the Andrie Yunus case is a refreshing new standard. TNI shows that transparency is the key to public trust,” Asip continued.
He added that the transparency shown now is far more advanced and bold. The institution’s courage to acknowledge the involvement of a rogue member without covering up facts is regarded as a chivalrous step that will strengthen TNI’s position in the eyes of the youth.
Protecting Institutional Integrity
The support given by HAM-I, according to Asip, is not blind support but moral encouragement for the legal process to continue to the court openly. He views that one rogue individual should not tarnish the image of thousands of other soldiers who faithfully serve.
“Our support is a form of love for TNI. We want TNI to remain the most trusted institution by the public. By uncovering this acid case transparently, TNI is actually protecting its own institutional integrity from the erosion by irresponsible rogues,” he asserted.
Asip Irama also called on all elements of society to continue monitoring this case until its conclusion. He hopes that the subsequent military trial will be conducted accountably so that justice for Andrie Yunus can be fulfilled.
TNI Puspom Transparency
Previously, Puspom TNI moved quickly by detaining four TNI members serving in the Headquarters Detachment of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Denma BAIS). The four suspects with initials NDP, SL, BWH, and ES are now confined in the Pomdam Jaya Detention Centre with super maximum security status.
TNI Puspom Commander Major General Yusri Nuryanto assured that the case handling is being carried out professionally and transparently.
“Puspom TNI will work professionally, and transparently, so that in the subsequent stages we will still invite the media,” Yusri said at TNI Headquarters, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/3).
Currently, the four TNI personnel are threatened with Article 467 of the Criminal Code, with a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. Puspom TNI promises to periodically convey developments on the motive and autopsy results to the public.
The Constitutional Court is once again examining the Military Court Law (Law No. 31/1997) regarding the authority to try criminal acts by TNI soldiers.