Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator for External Affairs at Kontras, warns of a growing pattern to silence critics through terror under President Prabowo Subianto. This terror targets journalists, activists, and influencers. The methods range from verbal threats to the delivery of animal carcasses.
"Just this year, not only influencers, but also journalists from Tempo have received pig heads and headless rat carcasses," Andrie said on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Andrie suspects the state is negligent by allowing these repeated acts of terror to happen. He argues that the state fails to protect its citizens or prosecute the attackers.
"Terror acts are increasing, but the state fails to provide protection, certainty, and justice to uncover the facts of the terror towards the victims," he stated.
According to Andrie, the state has the tools, resources, and budget to prevent such violence. However, he believes the government is choosing to ignore the issue. To him, this failure to act is a human rights violation.
"The state is violating human rights because it remains silent. Because it is not seriously conducting investigations, because it fails to bring terror perpetrators to justice. Consequently, there is impunity for the perpetrators of terror," he said.
Andrie demands that the state launch serious investigations to find the masterminds behind these attacks. He believes this is essential to save democracy.
"These terror acts are an attempt to silence public criticism, which is their responsibility to exercise public scrutiny over the authority," he added.
Tempo contacted Minister of Law and Human Rights Natalius Pigai for a response. However, Pigai claimed he was unaware of any terror against citizens. "I myself am not aware. So how can I believe that they are being terrorized? By whom? For what reason?" he said in a message on Wednesday.
The list of victims continues to grow. In Aceh, musician DJ Donny reported receiving a chicken carcass and a threat. Influencer Sherly Annavita also reported receiving rotten eggs and having her car vandalized.
Additionally, the home of Greenpeace Indonesia campaigner Iqbal Damanik was targeted with a chicken carcass and a warning. This attack is believed to be linked to his criticism of the government's response to disasters in Sumatra.
– Ervana Trinakaputri contributed to this report
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2077311/kontras-decries-terror-silencing-critics-in-prabowo-er