Indonesian president’s chief of staff dismissed over alleged wiretapping

What the report says

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed his chief of staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, after police arrested him over allegations of illegal phone wiretapping. According to the government, the case may amount to “treason,” reflecting the seriousness with which officials say the alleged surveillance is being treated. The accusations involve phones belonging to several prominent figures, including the president and cabinet ministers.

Al Jazeera, citing AFP, AP and Reuters, reported that two other senior police officers were also detained, including Ahrie Sonta Nasution, who heads the legal division of the Indonesian National Police. Officials said the alleged interception campaign took place over roughly the past year while Listyo was still serving as national police chief, a role he held for five years before moving into the president’s office last month. Authorities also allege the suspects tried to hide the operation by deleting files linked to the intercepted communications.

Government spokesman Prasetyo Hadi said the conduct could be viewed as threatening state interests and the safety of the country’s leadership. Senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the motive remains unclear. Police leadership said the operation lacked a lawful basis or the proper investigative process. Separately, the military deployed more than 20,000 soldiers in Jakarta the same day, though officials said this was routine and did not link it to the arrests. The case is notable because it involves senior security figures and raises questions about privacy, internal discipline and state institutions in Indonesia.