Government plans tighter surveillance controls after alleged wiretaps targeted Prabowo and others.
Indonesia is reviewing how state surveillance equipment is controlled after an alleged illegal wiretapping operation reached the highest levels of government, prompting discussion of new security checks and stronger safeguards against misuse.
Palace Bug Sweeps Under Consideration
Senior Minister for Legal Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on November 9 that authorities are considering sweeping the presidential palace for covert electronic devices as a preventive measure. He said the government is also taking steps to ensure surveillance equipment held by state agencies cannot be misused in the future, although specific new control mechanisms have not yet been announced.
Four Senior Police Officers Arrested
The scandal has led to the arrest of four senior police officers accused of unauthorized phone monitoring. Among them is former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who had recently been appointed President Prabowo Subianto’s chief of staff before being dismissed following his arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities had not announced formal charges when the reports were published.
Surveillance Extended Beyond Government Officials
Authorities say the alleged wiretapping began after Prabowo took office in late 2024. The suspected targets included businesspeople, journalists, activists, political figures, and senior government officials. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed, and investigators have not revealed how many people were monitored or the full scale of the operation.
Investigation Traced Surveillance Equipment
Yusril said the case began after the National Police received a tip that was investigated by the force’s new leadership and subsequently reported to Prabowo. He said investigators had established where the wiretapping equipment was located but did not provide further details. The government has previously described the allegations as potentially involving treason, while the underlying motive remains under investigation.
Prabowo Meets Former Police Chiefs
Prabowo met 10 former National Police chiefs on November 8, with the wiretapping scandal among the issues discussed, according to Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. The meeting came as the government reviewed surveillance safeguards and investigators continued examining how state interception capabilities were allegedly used without authorization.
The scandal has moved beyond an individual criminal investigation into a broader review of how Indonesia controls sensitive surveillance technology. For Indonesians, the outcome could shape future safeguards governing state interception powers and official communications. For Singaporeans following developments in neighboring Indonesia, the case is significant because it concerns institutional security and government oversight, although the investigation remains unresolved and no final legal findings have been announced.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Wiretap Scandal, Prabowo Wiretapping, Palace Bug Sweep, Surveillance Equipment, State Security, Police Investigation
