Vice President's Staff Calls for End to Mutual Suspicion Over Andrie Yunus Attack
Special Staff to the Vice President Suwardi called for the elimination of mutual suspicion, particularly between the government and civil society, in response to the alleged acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
“It is also important to eliminate feelings of mutual suspicion, particularly between the government and civil society, which has been conducting criticism as a legitimate part of democratic life,” Suwardi said in a written statement received on Sunday.
He stated that the relationship between government and civil society must be built upon principles of mutual respect, transparency, and shared commitment to the rule of law.
According to him, swift, comprehensive, and transparent investigation is crucial given that accusations and public suspicion can easily be directed at the government as the state administrator.
“Accusations and public suspicion are easily directed at the government as the state administrator. Therefore, swift, comprehensive, and transparent investigation is very important,” he said.
Suwardi also conveyed President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the incident transparently, stating that this must be realised through professional, accountable investigations open to the public in order to maintain public confidence.
Suwardi characterised the spraying of dangerous chemical liquid on Andrie Yunus as a cowardly act that cannot be justified in a law-based and democratic state. He stated that this incident represents not only an act of violence but also a serious threat to public safety and confidence.
“I strongly condemn this incident because violence of this kind has the potential to cause anxiety and trigger mutual suspicion within society,” Suwardi said.
Meanwhile, Special Staff to the Vice President Nico Harjanto expressed sympathy to the victim, family, and KontraS staff over the incident.
He encouraged the victim to receive the best medical care until full recovery without financial obstacles and emphasised that the current focus should be on the victim’s recovery and identification of the perpetrators in accordance with President Prabowo’s directive to Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
“I urge law enforcement to act firmly and quickly, demonstrate that the law in Indonesia exists to protect all citizens and ensure safety for all of us,” said Nico.
Additionally, Nico called on relevant agencies to tighten monitoring of the distribution of caustic substances and other dangerous materials frequently used in criminal acts such as gang fights and attacks on innocent citizens.
“I hope the tragic incident experienced by Mas Andrie is the last,” he concluded.
It is known that KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus was attacked by an unknown assailant who sprayed acid, causing injuries to his hands and feet as well as vision disturbance.
The incident occurred shortly after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) discussing militarism and constitutional review of the TNI Law.
Based on initial information gathered, the victim on Thursday (12 March) evening at approximately 23:37 Western Indonesia Time was riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I, Central Jakarta.
Two perpetrators using a motorcycle then approached the victim and sprayed acid before fleeing.
As a result of the attack, the victim suffered burn injuries to approximately 24 per cent of his body and was immediately transported to hospital for emergency medical treatment, particularly for the eye area affected by the liquid.