Police Chief’s Proactive Handling of Acid Attack Case Praised
JAKARTA - Senior political analyst Boni Hargens considers the case of pouring hard water on KontraS activists to be a serious threat to democratic freedom and civil space in Indonesia. He said the incident had shaken the security of human rights defenders.
"Attacks on human rights activists are not just ordinary criminal acts, but a direct threat to democratic freedoms and a healthy civil ecosystem," Boni said in a statement, Wednesday, March 18.
However, Boni appreciated the quick steps of the police in investigating the case. He assessed the response from the National Police showed a commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
Most recently, the police have released the face of the suspected perpetrator, while the TNI has also secured four of its members who are suspected of being involved. The two institutions are now coordinating to uncover the perpetrators and the mastermind behind the water spraying on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
Boni also highlighted the establishment of a special complaint post by the National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo as a strategic step. According to him, this policy is an important breakthrough in accelerating the investigation process.
"This post is a direct bridge between residents and the police institution. With a structured complaint channel, the investigation process moves faster and more efficiently," he said.
He assessed that the public's involvement in uncovering the case reflected a modern approach to society policing. In this approach, the public is not only an object of service, but also an active partner in law enforcement.
"The involvement of citizens provides stronger legitimacy for the investigation process. This reflects transparency and public participation in law enforcement," he said.
Furthermore, Boni said the steps of the National Police Chief showed a shift in the police paradigm from a top-down approach to a more democratic collaboration with civil society. This is considered important to build public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
In addition, he emphasized that the investigation of this case has a broader dimension than just a criminal case. According to him, this case is directly related to the protection of democratic freedom and security for activists.
"When countries respond quickly, transparently, and involve the public, the message is very strong that activism is not a threat, but part of a healthy democratic life," he said.
Boni also assessed that the establishment of a complaint post could be an important precedent in handling similar cases in the future. The participatory mechanism is considered effective in accelerating the disclosure of facts and the enforcement of justice.
He hopes that the perpetrators and masterminds behind the case will be tried fairly, so that activists in Indonesia can return to carrying out their duties without fear.
"The most important thing is the hope that justice will be upheld, and human rights defenders can work safely. That is the promise of democracy that the state must realize," concluded Boni.