Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about an acid attack against anti-corruption activist, Mr. Sukma Hidayat (38) and his wife. Sukma was attacked after he requested the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to tackle a corruption case. So far, the investigation process of the acid attack against Sukma and his wife has not shown any progress. Both the local and central governments have no policy regarding the protection of anti-corruption or human rights activists. Similarly, the police have also failed in protecting activists from attacks, as well as arresting the perpetrators.
CASE NARRATIVE:
On 31 January 2017, at around 7 a.m., Mr. Sukma Hidayat (38) drove his wife and sister-in-law to their office in Ernaldi Bahar hospital Palembang, South Suamtera Province. Suddenly, on the way to the office, unknown persons riding on a motorcycle beside Sukma’s car throw a plastic bag with liquid inside at Sukma and his wife. A few seconds later, as Sukma and his wife feel heat and pain, they realize the liquid is acid.
Suffering from serious pain, Sukma stopped the car and people around helped him and his wife, watering them down to reduce the pain. They were then taken to a hospital, and subsequently transferred to AK Gani Palembang hospital.
This attack is closely related to Sukma’s work, particularly his filing of a report on 15 December 2016 regarding the corruption of social aid budget amount IDR 2.1 trillion to the government of South Sumatera province. According to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), there was 800 billion missing and cannot be audited.
In this case, Sukma and his friends (former ‘98 activists) requested the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to take over the case from the Attorney General (AG), because the AG has not yet made any progress in the case, despite some people being named as suspects. On 13 January 2017, the KPK responded to the report and issued letter No R-166/40-43/01/2017 concerning supervision of the case.
As an anti-corruption activist, Sukma experienced an attack in November 2007 as well, at which time he was surrounded, beaten and stabbed by thugs. Sukma had reported this case to the police, but until now nothing has been done.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the police seriously investigate the acid attack against Sukma and his wife. The police should also cooperate with the national commission on human rights (Komnas HAM), Agency of Victim and Witness Protection (LPSK) and Ombudsman to investigate the case. Furthermore, the government should ensure protection for anti-corruption activists and human rights defenders, and ensure that such acts do not recur.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment calling for their intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
INDONESIA : Acid attack against anti-corruption activist in Palembang, South Sumatera province
Name of victims : Mr. Sukma Hidayat (38) and his wife Mrs. Marlia Agustina
Names of alleged perpetrators : Unknown persons related to a corruption case
which protested by Sukma Hidayat
Date of incident : 31 January 2017
Place of incident : Palembang, South Sumatera province
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding an acid attack against anti-corruption activist, Mr. Sukma Hidayat (38) and his wife. Sukma was attacked after he requested the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to tackle a corruption case. So far, the investigation process of the acid attack against Sukma and his wife has not shown any progress. Both the local and central governments have no policy regarding the protection of anti-corruption or human rights activists. Similarly, the police have also failed in protecting activists from attacks, as well as arresting the perpetrators.
On 31 January 2017, at around 7 a.m., Mr. Sukma Hidayat (38) drove his wife and sister-in-law to their office in Ernaldi Bahar hospital Palembang, South Suamtera Province. Suddenly, on the way to the office, unknown persons riding on a motorcycle beside Sukma’s car throw a plastic bag with liquid inside at Sukma and his wife. A few seconds later, as Sukma and his wife feel heat and pain, they realize the liquid is acid.
Suffering from serious pain, Sukma stopped the car and people around helped him and his wife, watering them down to reduce the pain. They were then taken to a hospital, and subsequently transferred to AK Gani Palembang hospital.
This attack is closely related to Sukma’s work, particularly his filing of a report on 15 December 2016 regarding the corruption of social aid budget amount IDR 2.1 trillion to the government of South Sumatera province. According to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), there was 800 billion missing and cannot be audited.
In this case, Sukma and his friends (former ‘98 activists) requested the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to take over the case from the Attorney General (AG), because the AG has not yet made any progress in the case, despite some people being named as suspects. On 13 January 2017, the KPK responded to the report and issued letter No R-166/40-43/01/2017 concerning supervision of the case.
As an anti-corruption activist, Sukma experienced an attack in November 2007 as well, at which time he was surrounded, beaten and stabbed by thugs. Sukma had reported this case to the police, but until now nothing has been done.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the police seriously investigate the acid attack against Sukma and his wife. The police should also cooperate with the national commission on human rights (Komnas HAM), Agency of Victim and Witness Protection (LPSK) and Ombudsman to dismantle the case. Furthermore, the government should ensure protection for anti-corruption activists and human rights defenders, and ensure that such attacks do not recur.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. Dr. HM. Azis Syamsuddin, SH
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
JL. Proklamasi No 56 Jakarta Pusat 10320
Tel: +62 21 31907021
Fax: +62 21 29681551 / +62 21 29681557
9. M. Imdadun Rahmat
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
10. Mr. HM Prasetyo
Attorney General of Republic of Indonesia
Kejaksaan Agung RI
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 7221337 , 7397602
Fax: + 62 21 7250213
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
