Indonesian police chief faces lawmakers over presidential wiretap probe

Jakarta's political landscape has shifted as National Police Chief Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto prepares to answer questions from a parliamentary commission on Thursday. Lawmakers are investigating claims that several high-ranking officials, including the president's chief of staff, engaged in unauthorized surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto.

The investigation began after authorities detained three senior police generals. Among them is Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was appointed as Prabowo's chief of staff in October. A fourth official, Gen. Slamet Uliandi, has also been implicated in the scheme. The police office is treating the incident as a potential case of treason. As a precaution, the government moved 20,000 troops to Jakarta, though most remain in barracks rather than on the streets.

Commission III, which oversees law enforcement, aims to determine who ordered the wiretaps and whether other officials were involved. Chairman Habiburokhman stated that the committee will pursue the case until facts are clear. He emphasized that anyone found responsible must face legal accountability.

The wiretapping operation is alleged to have occurred between 2025 and 2026. Police revealed last week that Gen. Ahrie Sonta Nasution asked Uliandi for permission to delete recordings of Prabowo's calls in October. Uliandi approved the request, and the files were subsequently removed. Nasution was dishonorably discharged from the police force on Tuesday following an internal ethics hearing. Similar proceedings are scheduled for the other suspects.

Beyond the president, allegations suggest that cabinet members, journalists, and business leaders were also monitored. Amnesty International called for a full investigation, warning that the operation may have been used to intimidate critics. Protests have erupted in several major cities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and criticizing the continued influence of former President Joko Widodo.

In Yogyakarta, clashes during a protest involving about 2,000 students and activists led to the detention of 154 people on Tuesday. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's son, offered to resign on Tuesday due to a separate probe into his academic credentials. This move has added to the political friction between the current and former presidents.

Evan Laksmana, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that the incident marks a potential shift in power dynamics. He described the situation as a painful breakup between the two leaders, with long-term ramifications for the country's security and politics.

Listyo Sigit Prabowo previously served as police chief under Widodo. While Widodo has not been formally implicated, he has stated that the legal process should be respected. None of the suspects have issued public statements regarding the wiretap allegations, though Nasution's lawyer said his client would cooperate fully with investigators.