Yusril says alleged interception began in early 2025 and continued into 2026.
Indonesia is investigating an alleged illegal wiretapping operation that reportedly targeted President Prabowo Subianto, senior officials, politicians, businesspeople, and other figures. Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra says the suspected interception began only months after Prabowo entered office.
Alleged Wiretapping Began in January 2025
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the suspected wiretapping began in January 2025, shortly after President Prabowo Subianto took office on October 20, 2024. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on November 3, Yusril said information from the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, or Bareskrim, indicated that the alleged interception continued into 2026. The activity subsequently became the subject of a formal police investigation following a report to authorities.
Ministers and Other Figures Were Also Allegedly Targeted
According to Yusril, the suspected surveillance was not limited to the president. He said ministers, politicians, and businesspeople were among those allegedly intercepted. Bareskrim Chief Commissioner General Asep Safrudin separately said investigators suspect phone numbers belonging to the president, state officials, political figures, media representatives, civil society figures, and businesspeople were targeted.
Police Allege Interceptions Bypassed Legal Procedures
Investigators allege the phone interceptions were ordered without the required investigator requests or supporting police reports and were unrelated to legitimate law-enforcement activity. Police also allege that interception logs were deleted in October 2026 in an attempt to remove records of the activity. These claims remain part of an ongoing criminal investigation and have not yet been tested through a final court judgment.
Three Suspects Have Been Detained
Bareskrim has named three suspects in the case: former National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso. The three have been detained while investigators continue the case. Police have cited provisions of Indonesia’s Criminal Code and Electronic Information and Transactions Law in connection with the alleged offenses.
Prabowo Orders Legal Action
Yusril said Prabowo learned about the alleged wiretapping after receiving a report from National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto. According to Yusril, the president instructed authorities to take firm legal action in accordance with existing law. Yusril also called for an objective investigation regardless of who may ultimately be implicated, while the purpose and full scope of the alleged surveillance remain under investigation.
The case has placed renewed attention on the security of official communications and the legal safeguards governing surveillance in Indonesia. For Indonesians, the investigation will test how authorities handle allegations involving senior state and police figures while maintaining due process. For Singaporeans and other regional observers, the case is relevant because it concerns the integrity and security of communications at the highest levels of Southeast Asia’s largest country.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Jawa Pos (2026)
Keywords: Prabowo Wiretapping Case, Illegal Wiretapping Indonesia, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Bareskrim Investigation, Presidential Security, Indonesia Police
