Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas), has emphatically stated that the recent acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus constitutes a direct assault on the fundamental values of democracy and human rights enforcement in Indonesia. This serious incident has drawn widespread concern and condemnation from high-level officials.
In a statement released in Jakarta on Friday, Minister Yusril declared, “The act of dousing Andrie Yunus from KontraS with acid is an attack on democracy itself.” He underscored the crucial role played by human rights activists, asserting that “they work for the benefit of the people and the nation, as the enforcement of human rights and democracy is a constitutional mandate.” His words highlight the intrinsic link between the safety of activists and the health of the nation’s democratic fabric.
According to Yusril, a democratic state inherently demands that all parties uphold mutual respect for differing viewpoints. He strongly condemned physical violence against activists advocating for democracy and human rights, emphasizing that such acts are unequivocally wrong under any circumstances. This principle of non-violence, he noted, is a cornerstone of a functional democracy.
The Coordinating Minister further elaborated on this stance, stating, “Attacking democracy and human rights activists, even if one party disagrees with them, remains unjustifiable.” He urged adherence to the principles of respecting differences and diversity, explaining that “in a democracy, everyone should embrace these values, as all efforts are for the common good, not for personal interests.” This plea for unity amidst diversity underscores the fragility of democratic dialogue when violence intervenes.
In light of the egregious nature of the attack, Yusril has called upon law enforcement agencies, particularly the Indonesian National Police (Polri), to launch a comprehensive investigation into the case. His demand extends beyond merely identifying the direct perpetrators and their motives; he insists on uncovering the masterminds orchestrating the incident. This signals a commitment to dismantling any organized attempts to stifle activism.
“I urge law enforcement, especially Polri, to ensure a thorough investigation that reaches the intellectual masterminds, not just the perpetrators on the ground,” Yusril firmly stated. This directive highlights the government’s determination to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy behind the attack, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for Andrie Yunus.
Yusril pointed out that the pattern of the attack strongly suggests a planned and organized operation. Consequently, he stressed that the process of law enforcement must not conclude with the apprehension of the immediate perpetrators. The intricate nature of such an assault necessitates a deeper inquiry to expose all individuals involved, regardless of their role.
Reiterating his demand, Yusril added, “The pattern of the attack appears planned and organized, so the uncovering of this incident should not stop at the executors, but must also reveal the intellectual masterminds behind it.” This consistent emphasis underscores the gravity with which the government views any attempts to undermine democratic processes through organized violence.
To ensure progress in the case, Yusril confirmed that he has directly coordinated with police officials regarding the handling of the investigation. This proactive approach demonstrates his personal commitment to seeing justice served and ensuring accountability for those responsible for the attack on the KontraS activist.
He further detailed his coordination efforts, saying, “I have coordinated with the Head of Jakarta Metro Police, who is handling this case along with the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri).” He also provided an update on the current status: “Currently, they are still deepening the investigation, so they cannot reveal anything to the public yet.” This indicates ongoing efforts and a cautious approach to information disclosure to protect the integrity of the investigation.
In the interim, Yusril has also appealed to the public for patience, urging them to await the results of the police investigation. This call for calm is vital to ensure that the incident can be fully and objectively revealed, preventing speculation and allowing facts to emerge from official channels.
“I call on the public to await the results of the police investigation so that this matter becomes clear,” Coordinating Minister Yusril asserted. He concluded with a resolute warning: “Acts of violence like this must not be tolerated. Whoever the perpetrators are and whatever their motives, they must be prosecuted according to applicable law.” This statement reinforces the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting its citizens.
Furthermore, Yusril underscored President Prabowo Subianto’s profound commitment to upholding law, democracy, and human rights. He stressed that, in line with this commitment, the government will never tolerate any form of violence, whether directed at activists or any individual, even if they hold differing opinions or are in opposition to the government. This broad stance reaffirms the administration’s dedication to fostering a safe and respectful political environment.
He concluded by highlighting the President’s inclusive approach: “As you can see, the President also invites those who often disagree with the government for open dialogue at the Palace. The President will not tolerate acts of violence against activists or anyone.” This exemplifies the administration’s belief in dialogue and peaceful engagement as the preferred method for resolving differences, reinforcing a democratic ethos in Indonesia.
Summary
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, strongly condemned the recent acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus, declaring it a direct assault on democracy and human rights enforcement in Indonesia. He emphasized the crucial role of human rights activists and underscored that physical violence against them is an unacceptable act, contradicting the principles of mutual respect and non-violence essential for a democratic state.
Yusril urged law enforcement, particularly the Indonesian National Police, to conduct a comprehensive investigation focused on uncovering not only the direct perpetrators but also the intellectual masterminds behind the seemingly planned and organized attack. He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s stance, to uphold law, democracy, and human rights, reiterating that violence against activists or those with differing opinions will not be tolerated.