JAKARTA, Indonesia | November 4, 2026 — Indonesia is deploying more than 20,000 military personnel to its capital, Jakarta, as authorities investigate an alleged illegal wiretapping operation targeting President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures, following the detention of three senior police generals, including the president’s recently appointed chief of staff.
The Associated Press reported that the military deployment will involve 20,980 personnel, with another 13,140 placed on standby for possible deployment. The reinforcements include naval and marine units, as well as troops from military training centers and naval bases in Java and Lampung province.
The deployment began Monday with 2,100 personnel already stationed in Jakarta, with additional troops arriving from outside the capital on Wednesday. However, military officials have not confirmed any connection between the deployment and the wiretapping investigation, describing the movement as a routine national security measure.
The scandal intensified after police announced the detention of three senior officers identified as General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso. Listyo, who previously served as national police chief for five years, had been appointed presidential chief of staff only last month.
President Prabowo subsequently dismissed Listyo from the position on Wednesday. Army Lieutenant Ariyo Windutomo, who heads the Presidential Secretariat, was appointed acting chief of staff, according to Channel News Asia.
Police allege that the officers conducted unauthorized surveillance between 2025 and 2026, targeting the president, Cabinet members, politicians, journalists, civil society leaders and business executives. Investigators said telephone numbers were entered into the police’s Lawful Interception Management System without the required verification and authorization procedures.
The suspects are also accused of ordering the deletion of intercepted communications records in October to conceal evidence and remove traces of the alleged operation. Police said investigators had questioned 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses and seized 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four flash drives.
The allegations have raised serious concerns within the government because the alleged surveillance involved the country’s highest elected official and other key public figures. Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi warned that spying on the president could threaten national security and potentially constitute conduct bordering on treason.
However, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said investigators had found no indication of treason and stressed that the inquiry into the suspects’ motives remained ongoing. The three officers have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Under Indonesia’s criminal laws, unlawful interception of private electronic communications can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Separate provisions covering unauthorized access to and deletion of electronic information also carry substantial penalties.
The controversy has revived concerns about surveillance and the relationship between security institutions and political leadership in Indonesia. In 2009, Australian intelligence agencies reportedly attempted to intercept communications involving then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The incident became public in 2013 following disclosures linked to former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, triggering a diplomatic dispute between Indonesia and Australia.
Indonesia has undergone major security-sector reforms since the fall of longtime authoritarian ruler Suharto in 1998, including the separation of the national police from the military. The latest allegations involving senior police officials have therefore raised renewed questions about institutional accountability, the use of surveillance powers and civilian oversight of security agencies.
Authorities have yet to establish who ordered the alleged surveillance, why the targets were selected or whether other officials were involved. Investigators are continuing to examine the evidence as the military maintains its heightened deployment in the capital.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
