Police Probe Senior Officers Over Alleged Illegal Wiretapping
Indonesia's Bareskrim Polri investigates four generals over alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and key figures.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
JAKARTA — Bareskrim Polri (the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency) continues to investigate the alleged illegal wiretapping case targeting President Prabowo Subianto, alongside several state officials, political figures, business leaders, media outlets, and public figures. Based on reports from CNN Indonesia on Wednesday, November 6, 2026, and Republika on Friday, November 6, 2026, the wiretapping operations were carried out without going through applicable legal procedures and reportedly took place throughout the 2025–2026 period.
In this case, the police have named four high-ranking police generals as suspects. Three of them—former National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso—are currently detained at the Mako Brimob detention center of the National Police Headquarters. Meanwhile, Inspector General Slamet Uliandi has not yet been detained as he is still recovering from a stroke, as cited by CNN Indonesia.
The Suspects' Roles in the Illegal Wiretapping Practice
According to statements delivered by Bareskrim Polri investigators in a press conference, the wiretapping practice was allegedly carried out by inputting telephone numbers into the police's Lawful Interception Management System (LIMS) server without going through the proper verification process. Head of Bareskrim Polri Commissioner General Asep Safrudin explained that these numbers, including President Prabowo's phone number, were intercepted without any connection to legal enforcement processes.
Furthermore, investigators uncovered the alleged deletion of wiretapped data files in October 2026. Based on reports from CNN Indonesia, Inspector General Ahrie Sonta, serving as Head of the Monitoring Bureau at the time, reportedly sought permission from Inspector General Slamet Uliandi, head of the monitoring center's advisory board (Monitoring Center), to delete the files, after which the request was approved.
Business Sector Response and Hopes for Law Enforcement
This case has also drawn attention from Kadin Indonesia (the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Erwin Aksa, Vice Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, as quoted by Republika on Friday, November 6, 2026, viewed the alleged wiretapping of various figures, including business circles, as a serious issue that requires professional handling to maintain legal certainty and business information security.
“For the business world, legal certainty, information security, and the protection of business confidentiality are essential foundations in conducting investment activities,” Erwin stated when contacted by Republika in Jakarta.
Kadin Indonesia hopes law enforcement agencies can investigate this matter thoroughly, independently, and transparently without favoritism, while upholding the presumption of innocence to prevent excessive speculation that could disrupt national economic stability. Regarding internal police enforcement developments, the public also anticipates firm steps reflecting efforts to preserve the institution's dignity, similar to the National Police Chief's firm steps in rotating officers to maintain public trust carried out previously.
Digital Ethics and the Responsibility of Trust
From an Islamic perspective, safeguarding personal privacy, data, and human communication is a trust of paramount importance. Spying or prying into the faults of others without a rightful basis is prohibited in Islamic teachings, as it damages trust and triggers division within society.
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوْا كَثِيْرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّۖ اِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ اِثْمٌ وَّلَا تَجَسَّسُوْا وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَّعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاۗ اَيُحِبُّ اَحَدُكُمْ اَنْ يَّأْكُلَ لَحْمَ اَخِيْهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوْهُۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيْمٌ ﴿١٢﴾
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Hujuraat [49]: 12 (Sahih International)
As Muslims, we are consistently encouraged to prioritize honesty, uphold justice objectively, and submit all legal matters to the competent authorities to achieve peace and collective welfare. Regarding the use of technology in the modern era to ensure it remains within correct moral boundaries, readers may review the discussion on the role of Islam in shaping digital ethics in the technological era.
