Yusril Does Not Want the Impression That the Andrie Yunus Case Trial Is Merely a Formality
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister (Menko) for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Kumham Imipas), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, does not want the impression to emerge in the public that the trial in the Andrie Yunus case is merely a formality and damages public trust.
“Do not let the impression arise that this trial is merely a formality or even becomes a spectacle that damages public trust in the state and law enforcement institutions,” said Yusril in his written press statement on Friday (8/5/2026).
He hopes that the military court can handle the case of the acid attack on the KontraS activist professionally and objectively.
“The government hopes that the trial process against the defendants runs professionally, objectively, and upholds the principles of a free and impartial judiciary. This is in line with the Eight Asta Cita or Eight Government Programmes of President Prabowo Subianto, one of which is legal reform and law enforcement to ensure justice and legal certainty,” said Yusril.
The trial process must proceed in accordance with criminal procedure law and the applicable military Criminal Code provisions.
Yusril stated that the government’s hope for a fair and lawful trial should not be interpreted as interference in the authority of the court, including the military court.
“The government in principle upholds the independence of the judiciary. The position of the judicial power is independent and must be free from interference or influence by any party, including the government,” he said.
Therefore, Yusril firmly stated that a well-run, open, and fair judicial process will have an important impact on the state’s image in the eyes of the public and the international community.
“This concerns the people’s trust in the state. Maintaining that trust is also part of the government’s responsibility,” explained Yusril.
Furthermore, Yusril emphasised the importance of the panel of judges acting professionally and objectively in examining, trying, and deciding the case.
“If the defendants are proven guilty in a lawful and convincing manner, then the verdict must be handed down fairly in accordance with the applicable law. Conversely, if the charges are not proven, the court must also dare to acquit the defendants for the sake of upholding justice,” he said.
The four defendants in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus were said to have committed actions that were limited to mere mischief, not a military operation or intelligence operation.
This was stated by former Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) Rear Admiral (Ret.) Soleman B Ponto when appearing as an expert witness in the trial at the Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Thursday (7/5/2026).
In the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus, there was involvement of TNI BAIS members, namely Sergeant Two Edi Sudarko, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and First Lieutenant Sami Lakka.
“So if you look at it, this is not an intelligence operation at all. If I were the Kabais at that time, or now suppose I am their superior, I would only see it as mischief. We would see it as mischief,” said Ponto in the trial.