Prabowo Wiretapping Case: Gerindra and Ministers Demand Probe
The alleged illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto involving Listyo Sigit and police generals triggers calls for a thorough probe and oversight.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
The alleged illegal wiretapping targeting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and several state officials has drawn intense public scrutiny and strong reactions from various quarters. As compiled from reports by news agencies ANTARA and CNN Indonesia, government ranks and the Gerindra Party have urged law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate the motives and the masterminds behind the act.
This incident resulted in the naming of former Presidential Chief of Staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo as a suspect, along with two active high-ranking Indonesian National Police (Polri) officers. In response to these developments, the Presidential Palace took decisive action by removing Listyo Sigit from his post and appointing an acting official.
Suspect Designations and Presidential Palace Action
According to a report by CNN Indonesia on Thursday, Nov 5, 2026, at 00:00 WIB (UTC+7), Listyo Sigit was implicated in the alleged illegal wiretapping case and now holds suspect status alongside two other active police generals: the Head of the Legal Division (Kadivkum) of Polri, Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, and Principal Police Instructor Grade 1 at the Police Staff and Leadership College (Sespim Lemdiklat) Polri, Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso.
Responding to the situation, State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi confirmed on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026, at 00:00 WIB (UTC+7) at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta that President Prabowo Subianto had signed a presidential decree dismissing Listyo Sigit from his capacity as Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP). The government subsequently appointed Lieutenant General Ariyo Windutomo as the acting (Plt) Head of KSP.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the Palace still questions the motive behind the action and chooses to await the ongoing investigation by the police. This administrative restructuring occurs amid internal government dynamics, as seen in efforts regarding cabinet restructuring and shifts in the Prabowo administration.
Gerindra and Coordinating Minister Statements: Indications of Treason
Quoting an ANTARA report on Thursday, Nov 5, 2026, at 00:00 WIB (UTC+7), Gerindra Party Spokesperson Sugiat Santoso urged Polri not to stop at the field executors who have been named suspects, but also to track down the mastermind behind the President's wiretapping. Sugiat expressed full support for Polri under the command of National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto for enforcing the law firmly and impartially.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, during a press conference in Banda Aceh, asserted that this case points toward indications of treason. Yusril stated that there are signs leading to treasonous acts as regulated in Articles 191–193 of the National Criminal Code (KUHP), which are currently being further examined by the authorities.
A similar view was expressed by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK) who also serves as Gerindra Party Secretary General, Sugiono, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026, at 00:00 WIB (UTC+7). Quoted by CNN Indonesia, Sugiono considered the alleged wiretapping of the President to be an act of insubordination amounting to treason by subordinates against the Head of State and Head of Government. Sugiono stated he did not yet know whether Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka was also a target of the wiretapping, but emphasized that the act was sufficient to warrant legal proceedings.
This criminal law issue involving a former high-ranking state official adds to public attention regarding national law enforcement, much like cases involving other officers and officials in the context of the naming of Listyo Sigit as a suspect in procedural wiretapping cases.
Legal Experts' Review and Urging for an Independent Supervisory Body
From the perspective of administrative law, Tedi Sudrajat, an expert from Jenderal Soedirman University, stated in Purwokerto that the use of wiretapping devices by law enforcement officials must fulfill three elements to be valid: authority, procedure, and substance. According to him, as long as procedural aspects are unmet, the action is legally invalid.
Meanwhile, citing a report by Republika on Thursday, Nov 5, 2026, at 00:00 WIB (UTC+7), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Digital Communication Observer Rulli Nasrullah (Kang Arul) assessed that this case must serve as momentum to reform wiretapping governance in Indonesia. According to the Senior Researcher at Arus Survei Indonesia, resolution is insufficient through law enforcement against individuals abusing authority alone; rather, an independent institution needs to be established to oversee communication interception.
Kang Arul proposed at least five primary functions that such a wiretapping supervisory body must possess. One of the main ones is overseeing procedures and the legality of wiretapping requests so that every activity has a legal basis, clear objectives, measurable target identities, and implementation time limits. This is vital to prevent the abuse of authority for political, economic, or personal interests.
Islamic Reflection: Upholding Trust and Avoiding Suspicion
Islam teaches the importance of upholding trust, honesty, and respecting the privacy of fellow human beings. The act of prying into faults or investigating secrets without legitimate rights and justified procedures runs counter to the principles of honesty and leadership ethics.
In national and state life, openness, obedience to the rule of law, and sincerity in carrying out duties serve as the main foundations for achieving tranquility. It is essential for all elements of society and state administrators to continuously prioritize the principles of justice, maintain integrity, and pray for guidance so that the nation is consistently protected from conflict and the abuse of trust.
