The acid attack that targeted Andrie Yunus, an activist from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, triggered a broad public reaction. The incident quickly became a public spotlight after being widely reported by national media and intensely discussed on social media. Many netizens expressed anger, concern, and worry over the safety of activists who fight for human rights issues in Indonesia.

The acid attack was reported to have taken place on Thursday night, March 12, 2026, at around 11:37 p.m. WIB in the Jalan Salemba I–Talang area, Central Jakarta. Based on circulating information, Andrie Yunus was riding a motorcycle when two unidentified individuals on an automatic motorcycle approached him from the opposite direction. Without much interaction, one of the attackers allegedly splashed a liquid suspected to be acid at the victim before both fled the scene.

The sudden attack caused the victim to fall from his motorcycle and scream in pain while asking nearby residents for help. People around the location then assisted him and took him for medical treatment. As a result of the attack, Andrie Yunus reportedly suffered burns on parts of his body, estimated at around 24 percent, requiring intensive care.

This incident immediately triggered a wave of reaction from the public, especially on social media. Many users on digital platforms such as Twitter and Instagram expressed support for the victim while also condemning the violent act. A number of netizens also argued that an attack on an activist is a serious threat to freedom of expression and democratic life.

In many public discussions, there have been repeated demands for law enforcement officers to move quickly in identifying the perpetrators. Many social media users have also called for a transparent and thorough investigation, including uncovering the possibility that other actors may have been behind the attack.

Beyond netizen reactions, several civil society organizations also voiced strong condemnation over the incident. They argued that violence against activists cannot be tolerated because it can create fear among human rights defenders who play an important role in overseeing democracy. For that reason, a full investigation into this case is seen as essential to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and that activists receive proper protection.

Media coverage of the case has also been intense, with many national outlets continuing to monitor the progress of the investigation. In the middle of growing public attention, law enforcement authorities are expected to work professionally, quickly, and transparently in uncovering the perpetrators. Many parties believe that resolving this case is not only important for the victim, but also for maintaining a sense of safety for activists and civil society groups who continue to speak for the public interest.

This case is also a reminder that protection for human rights defenders remains a challenge in many countries, including Indonesia. Therefore, many parties hope that the legal process in this case will be pursued thoroughly until the perpetrators are found and the motive behind the attack is revealed.

The public is now waiting for the latest developments in the ongoing investigation. The hope is that law enforcement officers can soon arrest the perpetrators and ensure that acts of violence like this do not happen again in the future, so that democratic space and freedom of expression in Indonesia remain protected.

From a legal standpoint, the acid attack against activist Andrie Yunus could potentially be charged under provisions of the Indonesian Criminal Code concerning aggravated assault. If the attack is proven to have caused serious injuries to the victim, the perpetrators may be charged under Article 354 of the Criminal Code on aggravated assault, which carries a prison sentence of up to eight years. Furthermore, if the investigation finds evidence of prior planning, the perpetrators may be charged under Article 355 of the Criminal Code concerning premeditated aggravated assault, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is crucial not only to identify the direct perpetrators, but also to uncover the possible involvement of any other parties who may have ordered or supported the attack.

Public Sentiment Dominated by Condemnation in the Andrie Yunus Case

Based on monitoring results of public conversations on digital media, public response to the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, an activist from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, shows a dominance of negative sentiment. The analysis indicates that 3,846 conversations, or around 77 percent of the total discussion, carried a negative tone. This sentiment mainly consisted of strong condemnation of the violent attack, while also reflecting public anger and concern for the safety of human rights defenders in Indonesia.

Many social media users argued that an acid attack is a serious form of violence that affects not only the victim’s physical condition, but also creates fear among activists and civil society groups. In various digital conversations, netizens also highlighted the importance of protecting individuals or groups actively speaking out on democracy and human rights issues.

In addition to the negative sentiment, the analysis also identified 1,055 positive conversations. These positive discussions generally contained moral support for Andrie Yunus as well as solidarity from the public toward activists who fight for humanitarian issues. Some social media users also expressed hope that the victim would recover soon and receive justice through a transparent and professional legal process.

Meanwhile, neutral sentiment was recorded in 91 conversations. These mostly consisted of the sharing of information related to the chronology of the incident, updates on the victim’s condition, and news reports from various media outlets. Neutral content usually came from media accounts, issue-monitoring institutions, and social media users who shared information without strong opinions.

The dominance of negative sentiment in public conversation indicates that this case has triggered widespread concern in society. Many parties believe that violence against activists can become a threat to democratic space if it is not handled seriously by law enforcement.

Therefore, the public hopes that the investigation into this case will proceed quickly, transparently, and thoroughly. In addition to arresting the perpetrators on the ground, the public is also pushing law enforcement officers to uncover the motive and the possible involvement of other parties behind the attack. This demand reflects a broader expectation that justice must be upheld while also ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again in the future.