The investigation, which started with allegations of illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto's phone calls in Indonesia, increased political tension in the country after three senior police generals were detained. While more than 20 thousand military personnel were dispatched to the capital Jakarta, thousands of police and soldiers were assigned to a court hearing attended by former President Joko Widodo.
According to the Associated Press (AP) news dated November 5, 2026, among those detained is General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was appointed as President Prabowo's chief of staff last month. Listyo previously served as head of the Indonesian National Police during the Joko Widodo administration.
It is claimed that not only the President but also cabinet members, politicians, journalists, civil society representatives and leading figures of the business world may have been wiretapped without permission in the investigation.
According to the police assessment, the illegal wiretapping activities were carried out between 2025 and 2026, after Prabowo Subianto was elected president.
As part of the investigation, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, as well as National Police Organization Legal Department Head Sonta Nasution and Police Education and Training Institute's senior instructor Eko Hadi Santoso, were also detained.
The Presidential Palace announced that the alleged wiretapping activities were considered an "act of treason" that endangered the interests of the state.
However, authorities have not confirmed that the large-scale deployment of military personnel to the capital was directly linked to the wiretapping investigation.
Following the scandal, attention turned to Joko Widodo, President Prabowo's former political ally.
Retired police general and former Deputy Chief of the National Police Oegroseno said in a statement on the Forum Keadilan TV podcast broadcast on Wednesday that the possible chain of command behind illegal wiretapping activities should be investigated in all aspects.
Oegroseno stated that investigators should also examine whether the instructions came from former President Widodo. "If deemed necessary, investigators should not hesitate to question a former president. The purpose behind the alleged wiretapping operation should be fully revealed under the leadership of the current police chief."
However, there are no official accusations that Joko Widodo was involved in the wiretapping investigation. Widodo and Prabowo have not yet made a statement about the allegations.
Security measures have been increased in the capital Jakarta, where political tension is rising. Authorities reported that more than 20 thousand military personnel were dispatched to the city. Among them are marines and personnel from other military units.
An additional 6,770 police and soldiers were deployed for former President Joko Widodo's court appearance on Thursday.
East Jakarta Police Chief Alfian Nurrizal announced that security measures were taken for precautionary purposes against the gathering of large groups and possible security risks. Nurrizal stated that most of the assigned personnel were kept ready.
Indonesian army spokesman Major General Muhammad Nas also argued that the shipment to Jakarta was a normal practice. It was reported that although a large number of military personnel were sent to the capital, no significant military activity was observed on the streets, and most of the troops were kept in barracks and other facilities.
Usman Hamid, Amnesty International's Indonesia Director, said that wiretapping allegations should not be evaluated only in terms of the President's security. Hamid stated that unauthorized surveillance activities could constitute a serious violation of human rights and could be used to intimidate opponents and undermine civil liberties.
"This issue is not just about the alleged wiretapping of the President. Authorities must explain who else may have been targeted and investigate the full effects of the operation." Hamid called for the investigation to be conducted comprehensively and transparently.
It remains unclear how the investigation, in which three senior generals are detained, will progress and to what extent the scope of the alleged wiretapping activities will be revealed.
