Indonesia has been shaken by a major surveillance scandal after President Prabowo Subianto dismissed his chief of staff following allegations of illegal phone tapping involving the country’s top leadership, journalists, politicians and other prominent figures.

The controversy intensified on November 4, 2026, after authorities confirmed that three senior police officers had been detained over suspected unauthorised surveillance operations allegedly conducted between 2025 and 2026.

The investigation has raised serious questions about the misuse of police surveillance powers, government accountability and the protection of private communications in Indonesia.

Presidential Chief of Staff Among Three Police Officers Detained

The most prominent individual involved in the investigation is General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who had recently served as Indonesia’s presidential chief of staff after leading the country’s National Police for approximately five years.

The other two officers identified in the case are Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, head of the National Police Legal Division, and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior police training official.

Investigators suspect that the officers used police surveillance systems to intercept telephone communications without following the legally required procedures.

Following the developments, President Prabowo removed Listyo from his presidential position and appointed Lieutenant General Ariyo Windutomo as acting chief of staff.

President’s Communications Allegedly Targeted

According to investigators, the suspected surveillance operation extended beyond ordinary criminal investigations.

The alleged targets reportedly included:

• President Prabowo Subianto
• Government ministers and senior officials
• Journalists and media personalities
• Political figures
• Business leaders
• Civil society representatives and activists

Authorities allege that telephone numbers were entered into the police interception system without proper verification or legal authorisation.

The suspected operation reportedly continued across 2025 and 2026.

Police Accused of Deleting Electronic Evidence

Investigators have also raised concerns about an alleged attempt to destroy digital evidence connected to the surveillance operation.

According to the police investigation, the suspects allegedly instructed personnel to delete electronic files containing intercepted communications from the relevant surveillance system.

Authorities are examining whether the alleged deletion was intended to conceal the operation and prevent investigators from discovering its full extent.

During the investigation, police questioned 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses.

Officers also seized 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four flash drives as part of the evidence-gathering process.

Government Raises Serious National Security Concerns

Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi described the alleged conduct as extremely serious and suggested that it could potentially amount to an act of treason.

He warned that unauthorised surveillance involving the country’s leadership could threaten state interests and national security.

However, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated that investigators had found no indication of treason at that stage.

Authorities have not yet established the motive behind the alleged surveillance activities.

Serious Criminal Charges Under Consideration

The investigation involves suspected violations of Indonesia’s laws concerning unlawful interception of electronic communications, unauthorised access to electronic systems and deletion or destruction of digital information.

Depending on the final charges and court findings, the accused could face substantial prison sentences.

Investigators are continuing to examine the seized electronic devices and establish whether additional individuals participated in the alleged activities.

Political and Public Implications

The scandal has emerged at a sensitive time for President Prabowo’s administration.

The alleged targeting of journalists, political figures, government officials and businesspeople has intensified concerns about privacy, institutional accountability and the independence of law enforcement agencies.

The case also places Indonesia’s police leadership under considerable scrutiny, particularly because the allegations involve individuals who previously held influential positions within the national police establishment.

For now, the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities must establish who authorised the alleged surveillance, why the communications were monitored and whether the operation was part of a wider network.

The case could become one of Indonesia’s most significant law-enforcement controversies if investigators establish that police surveillance powers were systematically misused against the country’s political and institutional leadership.