Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto dismissed his chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo on November 4, 2026, following Listyo's arrest alongside two senior police officers for illegal wiretapping targeting the president and public figures. The government termed the surveillance possible treason, while thousands of military troops were deployed to Jakarta to maintain stability amid economic pressure and fears of police-military friction.
Wiretapping investigation and arrests
- ▪Indonesian police stated that suspects in the wiretapping investigation operated without formal investigator requests and ordered electronic monitoring records deleted last month
- ▪The unauthorized phone wiretapping operation in Indonesia began in early 2025, targeting President Prabowo Subianto, cabinet ministers, journalists, politicians, and business leaders
- ▪Indonesian authorities detained serving police officer Listyo Sigit Prabowo and two senior police officers for conducting unauthorized phone wiretaps
Listyo Sigit Prabowo's background and dismissal
- ▪Listyo Sigit Prabowo served as Indonesia's national police chief for five years prior to being appointed as President Prabowo Subianto's chief of staff last month
- ▪Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto dismissed his chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo
- ▪Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Yanuar Nugroho stated that President Prabowo Subianto reassigned Listyo Sigit Prabowo to chief of staff to remove him from the national police chief post
Government response and motive
- ▪Indonesian presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi stated on November 4, 2026, that the illegal wiretapping operation carried out by rogue individuals could constitute treason
- ▪Indonesian Senior Minister for Legal Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that as of November 2026 the government had not yet established the motive for the wiretapping
Political and economic challenges for Prabowo
- ▪President Prabowo Subianto faced falling approval ratings in November 2026 alongside stock market selloffs, currency decline, and equities market downgrade warnings from index provider MSCI
- ▪Public discontent with President Prabowo Subianto's administration increased amid rising food prices and implementation challenges with free meals and village cooperative programs
Troop deployments in Jakarta
- ▪The Indonesian military deployed thousands of troops to Jakarta on November 4, 2026, to maintain security and safeguard national stability
- ▪Australian National University researcher Sana Jaffrey stated that troop movements could reflect concerns over potential military confrontations with police personnel loyal to Listyo Sigit Prabowo
- ▪Indonesian Navy spokesperson Tunggul stated on November 4, 2026, that troop movements in Jakarta were connected to scheduled training exercises in surrounding areas
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