March 17, 2026 | 04:44 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has instructed the police to investigate the acid attack on KontraS deputy coordinator Andrie Yunus in an objective, transparent, and swift manner, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said on Tuesday.
“It must be investigated objectively, openly, and as quickly as possible,” Prasetyo said at the Defense Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Prasetyo said the Presidential Palace is closely monitoring the case and is deeply concerned about the attack. He added that President Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring a proper investigation had also been conveyed by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Earlier, Listyo said he had received direct instructions from the president to thoroughly investigate the assault on the human rights activist.
The police chief said officers would continue to work on the case and provide regular updates on any developments.
“This is indeed a serious concern of the president,” Listyo said on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as quoted in an official statement from the Presidential Communications Office.
Listyo said the president had ordered the police to handle the case professionally and transparently. He added that the investigation would rely on a scientific crime investigation approach.
The method refers to a criminal investigation that uses science and forensic technology to establish objective facts. It prioritizes physical evidence and expert analysis — including forensic laboratory tests, DNA, digital forensics, and medical examinations — rather than relying solely on witness or suspect testimony.
Listyo said the Indonesian National Police, or Polri, is currently collecting information related to the attack.
“And this information will be examined thoroughly, one by one,” he said.
Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was attacked with acid on Salemba I-Talang Street in Central Jakarta on the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2026.
According to KontraS, two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle approached Andrie from the opposite direction and threw a corrosive liquid at him.
KontraS coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said the attackers targeted the front of Andrie’s body.
The chemical substance caused injuries to the right side of Andrie’s body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands. Some of his clothing also melted after being hit by the liquid.
Based on medical records, Andrie suffered burns covering 24 percent of his body. He also underwent eye surgery after the attack.
Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the writing of this article.
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