Indonesia Dismisses Presidential Chief of Staff Amid Wiretapping Inquiry

Chief of staff dismissed

November 4, 2026 · 7:31 a.m. Central

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed his chief of staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, after police detained him and two other senior officers in an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping, according to the Associated Press and Reuters.

Police allege the communications of the president and other figures were intercepted without following required procedures. The allegations are under investigation; detention and dismissal do not establish guilt.

AP reported that the suspects had not publicly responded to the accusations. Authorities have not disclosed a motive, according to the news agency’s earlier reporting.

What police allege

National Police investigators said the suspected unauthorized surveillance took place in 2025 and 2026, when Listyo was national police chief, AP reported. The people allegedly targeted included officials, political and media figures, activists and businesspeople.

Investigators also allege that files containing intercepted communications were ordered deleted. Police said they had seized devices and questioned witnesses, according to AP. Those claims have not been independently established in court.

Listyo became presidential chief of staff in October after serving as national police chief. Reuters reported that he is not related to the president despite sharing the name Prabowo.

The government’s response

Indonesia’s presidential office said the alleged interception of the head of state’s communications could amount to conduct leading toward treason, AP reported. That is the office’s characterization of the allegations, not a finding of guilt or a reported conviction.

The military also announced a large deployment of personnel to Jakarta while the investigation unfolded. Channel NewsAsia reported that authorities had not confirmed a connection between the deployment and the arrests. The investigation remains ongoing.

Where the investigation is centered

The star marks the approximate Jakarta area, where the national government and police headquarters are located; it does not identify a particular interception or private location.

Key dates

1. October 1, 2026 — Listyo became presidential chief of staff after serving as police chief, according to Reuters and Channel NewsAsia.
2. November 3, 2026 — Police announced the detention of three officers in the alleged wiretapping inquiry, AP reported.
3. November 4, 2026 — The president dismissed Listyo, Reuters and AP reported.

Sources and visual credits

Associated Press: latest investigation and deployment · AP: police allegations and suspects’ response · Reuters: dismissal · Channel NewsAsia: deployment context.

Visual: conceptual phone, signal and Jakarta illustration, not a photograph or evidence of the alleged surveillance. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.