Four Police Generals Named Suspects in Wiretapping Case Against President Prabowo

Indonesia’s national police have named four generals as suspects in an illegal wiretapping operation targeting President Prabowo Subianto, and investigators are now hunting for the individual who ordered the surveillance. The suspects include former National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Police Legal Division Chief Inspector General Ahrie Sonta, Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso, and Inspector General Slamet Uliandi, all charged under wiretapping provisions and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. Uliandi is a former head of the police information and technology division, and Cyber Crime Director Brigadier General Suhermanto stated that he previously served as head of the monitoring section at the Criminal Investigation Agency.

The probe remains far from over, with police still examining other parties’ involvement in the scandal. National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto has established a special team led by Criminal Investigation Chief Commissioner General Asep Safrudin to pursue the case, including identifying the mastermind. “Everything will be investigated,” Asep said on Saturday (7/11/2026). The special team was formed to probe the illegal wiretapping allegedly conducted by former Chief Listyo and two other generals against the President. Police public relations chief Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said on Thursday (5/11/2026) at police headquarters that the Chief had been observing and following the developments of the issues attracting public attention, and as a proactive institutional response had formed the special team.

Scope Reaches Thousands of Targets

The case, first disclosed on November 3, centers on allegations of warrantless surveillance, electronic data deletion, and illegal access against the president and numerous public figures. The alleged surveillance took place during 2025-2026. DPR Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman stated that the wiretapping affected roughly 6,000 objects, including President Prabowo and parliamentary leadership, characterizing it as a serious large-scale crime that suggests a major political motive behind the operation. Habiburokhman said on Saturday (7/11/2026) that Commission III fully supported police moving quickly to thoroughly investigate the case, especially to reveal the actual motive. He added: “There must be no compromise or tolerance! Everyone involved must be brought to court, from field actors, supporters, those who gave orders, to anyone who benefited from this illegal wiretapping.”

President Replaces Staff Chief Amid Allegations

President Prabowo removed Listyo from his post as Chief of the Presidential Staff after he became a suspect, appointing Lieutenant General Ariyo Windutomo as acting chief. Herindra was summoned to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday (6/11) but did not detail what was discussed with the President. At the site, he told reporters: “I think it is an illegal act, and leads toward treason.” Prasetyo Hadi said the case must be resolved transparently in accordance with existing laws. Former President Joko Widodo, when asked at the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday (5/11) about being linked to the case, said: “We all follow the existing legal process,” and only briefly responded regarding alleged coup claims: “We together follow…” Separately, the Association of Retired Police Officers presented seven moral messages to the National Police Chief, expressing deep concern over the incident while supporting the institution’s decisive enforcement actions and calling for internal reform to preserve police solidarity. The retired officers delivered their messages during an audience at the main lobby of the Rupatama Building at police headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (5/11/2026), where the Chief was accompanied by top officials and welcomed by association chairman retired General Bambang Hendarso Danuri. Bambang said senior retirees felt deep concern over the incident but appreciated the Chief’s firmness in taking law enforcement action, quoting him as saying this was not a competition between the current and former chief but purely a criminal act by rogue members, and adding: “With the Chief’s sharpness and courage, he took firm action.”

Public Scrutiny Falls on Jokowi

Public attention has focused on former President Joko Widodo, though investigators have never named him and the motive remains unrevealed. Listyo’s career was closely tied to Jokowi since serving as Surakarta police chief when Jokowi was mayor, then becoming presidential aide, Banten police chief, Professional and Ethics Division chief, Criminal Investigation chief, and finally National Police Chief. Last month, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court decisions on Vice President Gibran’s education requirements added scrutiny over how Jokowi’s son reached the vice presidency. In August, Projo chairman Budi Arie Setiadi spoke of a “historical fracture” and changes faster than 2029.

Confessions Expose Listyo’s Wiretapping Orders

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said initial interrogations revealed the officers admitted wiretapping President Prabowo and State Cabinet Secretary Teddy on Listyo’s orders. Listyo was reportedly picked up at 3 a.m., and Mahfud suspected there were negotiations in the tense internal police dynamics following the officers’ confessions. Listyo’s direct predecessor as police chief from 2019-2021, retired General Idham Azis, holds strong influence in Criminal Investigation Agency detective circles.

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