Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Indonesia has been thrown into a major political controversy after President Prabowo Subianto dismissed his chief of staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, following his arrest over allegations of illegal wiretapping. The dramatic decision was announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, just one day after Listyo and two other senior police officers were detained over an alleged surveillance operation targeting the president, government ministers, journalists, politicians and businesspeople.
Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi described the alleged activities as extremely serious, warning that they could amount to acts of treason and endanger national security. The dismissal has raised fresh questions about security within Indonesia's government and the conduct of senior officials entrusted with protecting the country's leadership.
According to investigators, the alleged wiretapping operation took place between 2025 and 2026, with officers accused of accessing telephone communications without proper legal authorisation. Police also allege that electronic records connected to the surveillance activities were ordered deleted last month, raising further concerns about possible attempts to conceal evidence.
The other two officers identified in local media are Ahrie Sonta Nasution, a senior official in the National Police legal division, and Eko Hadi Santoso, an officer at the national police educational institution. Indonesia's senior minister for legal affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, confirmed that authorities had not yet established the motive behind the alleged surveillance. The suspects have not publicly responded to the accusations.
The scandal comes at a difficult moment for President Prabowo, who is already facing economic pressure, declining public approval and concerns over investor confidence. Listyo had served as Indonesia's national police chief for five years before being appointed presidential chief of staff on October 1, 2026. His sudden dismissal now places the spotlight on the country's security institutions and the need for accountability among senior officials.
President Prabowo has instructed the police to handle the investigation according to the law, while authorities continue examining the alleged surveillance operation. As the investigation unfolds, Indonesians are awaiting answers about who authorised the wiretapping, why prominent individuals were targeted and whether additional officials were involved.
0 Comments