The Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM) condemns the state's indifference to the arsenic poisoning of Munir Said Thalib. They have wasted years leading up to the 21st anniversary of the case on September 7.
Munir was a courageous and consistent human rights defender in Indonesia. In the current situation, a figure like Munir is needed to address the widespread demonstrations that occurred last August, which rejected pro-elite policies but resulted in the deaths of citizens, from an online motorcycle taxi driver to university students.
This reminds us that since Munir's death on September 7, 2004, the pattern of state violence is being repeated, a culture of impunity has been fostered and the law has become a mere tool for those in power.
KASUM emphasises that the Munir case was an extraordinary crime planned through a covert operation. High-ranking intelligence officials not only misused the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) but also the state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia. This was a clear gross human rights violation.
KASUM believes that the Munir case requires a thorough, honest and fair investigation. We have no doubts about the state's capabilities, but legal action is always hampered by political factors.
For example, as reported by Tempo on November 4, 2024, elite members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) asked the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to postpone declaring Munir's case a gross human rights violation, which they believed could trigger "unrest" in the first 100 days of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
After the first 100 days of the administration, Komnas HAM has made no progress. This is a systematic attempt to cover up the Munir case. This means that elite political intervention has succeeded in weakening Komnas HAM. This kind of weakening is nothing new. From the beginning, the truth about Munir's case was considered dangerous to the elite.
The main problem isn't just a lack of political will. It is also the active role of a handful of political elites in burying this case. The majority of the country's elite chooses to remain silent, afraid and reluctant to reveal the truth. This is despite the fact that legal opportunities exist, both through a new police investigation and a prosecutorial review.
KASUM wrote to the Komnas HAM chairperson on August 25, 2025, requesting information on the investigation into the Munir case. Komnas HAM itself has notified the Attorney General. However, there has been no progress to date. The laws on human rights and human rights courts require Komnas HAM and the Attorney General to work honestly and truthfully, not to buy time to defuse political pressure. Prolonged investigations constitute undue delay.
A resolution of the Munir case should set an important precedent for the protection of human rights defenders. If the state upholds justice in this case, it will be a momentum for respecting human rights. Conversely, if allowed to drag on, it is clear that activists could be subjected to arbitrary treatment, murder, and the perpetrators will remain free.
KASUM is urging the state to immediately reopen the Munir's case. KASUM is also urging Komnas HAM and the Attorney General to act objectively and promptly announce their findings.
Without the courage to penetrate the walls of power and political interests, the state will continue to experience a crisis of legitimacy.
Signed
Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM)
Notes
Renowned human rights defender Munir died of arsenic poisoning onboard a Garuda Indonesia flight on September 7, 2004. Although off-duty pilot Pollycarpus Priyanto was convicted of the murder in 2005, the alleged mastermind behind the assassination, former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy Muchdi Purwoprandjono, was later acquitted of all charges. Also implicated in the murder but never investigated was former BIN chief AM Hendropriyono. Hendropriyono, a close ally of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, was cited in US diplomatic cables leaked in 2011 as being involved in the planning of the murder. In 2014 Hendropriyono was appointed as an advisor to former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and in August 2025, President Prabowo Subianto awarded him Indonesia's highest civilian honour – the Star of the Republic of Indonesia, First Class.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "KASUM: 21 Tahun aktor intelektual Pembunuhan Munir masih berkeliaran".]
