Lawmaker Says Wiretapping of President Prabowo Must Be Treason Probe

Indonesian lawmakers questioned the National Police Chief on Thursday regarding allegations that police technology was used to wiretap President Prabowo Subianto and other high-profile figures, The Washington Post reported.

The hearing at Parliament has escalated a technical investigation into a potential national security crisis. While the core of the matter involves the illegal interception of electronic transmissions, political leaders are now pushing for a much broader criminal inquiry. The tension between law enforcement accountability and allegations of state-level betrayal has placed the Indonesian National Police (INP) under intense scrutiny.

“This is not merely a case of illegal interception of electronic transmissions. It must be fully investigated under treason provisions, because the targets included the head of state and many prominent national figures,” said Habiburokhman, head of parliament’s Commission III, according to ANTARA News.

DPR Bakal Panggil Kapolri, Bahas Kasus Penyadapan Presiden Prabowo — tvOneNews

Habiburokhman described the alleged actions of a senior police officer as “a stab in the back,” suggesting the operation was driven by an “extremely large-scale dirty political agenda” that could threaten national sovereignty, ANTARA News reported.

INP discharges official for misconduct and wiretapping

As the political debate intensifies, the INP has already moved to punish specific personnel involved in the breach. On Tuesday, the INP Code of Ethics Commission (KKEP) imposed a dishonorable discharge on an individual identified as, the official INP website reported.

What is taking place in the capital is a calculated, elite power struggle — Photo: The Jakarta Post

The hearing, which lasted over eleven hours, found AS guilty of misconduct involving the abuse of authority and the use of police technology to conduct wiretapping. Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, the Head of the INP Public Relations Division, said that the decision reflects a commitment to upholding discipline regardless of rank. AS has since exercised his right to appeal the verdict.

However, the legal focus is shifting from individual misconduct to systemic threats. While the police are pursuing internal disciplinary measures, palace officials and lawmakers are looking toward the criminal code. Kompas.id reported that the issue has evolved from a matter of unauthorized surveillance into a high-stakes debate over national security.

DPR Panggil Kapolri Suyudi Bahas Kasus Penyadapan Presiden Prabowo — KOMPASTV

“How can police officials, whose duty is to protect the public and enforce the law, abuse state powers and resources to spy on the president, public figures and their own oversight bodies?” Habiburokhman told ANTARA News.

The complexity of this shift is not lost on legal observers. According to Kompas.id, proving treason requires more evidence than proving a violation of electronic interception laws. There is also a growing concern that the treason narrative may shift the burden of national security responsibility solely onto the police, rather than serving as a prompt for broader institutional evaluation.

The political stakes of the surveillance scandal

The timing and nature of these revelations have created a sharp divide in how the scandal is perceived. For some, it is a necessary purge of corrupt elements within the security apparatus. For others, it is a tactical distraction from more pressing national issues.

Komisi III DPR Panggil Kapolri Suyudi Bahas Penyadapan Presiden Prabowo — Liputan6

The Jakarta Post said that while Jakarta's political class is focused on a feud over electronic surveillance and shadow loyalty, the general population faces different pressures, including rising food prices and a stagnant economy. The outlet suggested that the spectacle of rogue generals and wiretapped phones can act as a “velvet curtain” drawn over systemic policy shortfalls.

The investigation currently faces several open questions regarding the chain of command and the ultimate beneficiaries of the surveillance. Lawmakers are demanding to know if the operation was a rogue act by a single officer or a coordinated effort involving higher-ranking officials or political groups.

From Wiretapping Allegations to Treason Allegations, Is There Really a Political Tug-of-War — Photo: Kompas.id

Habiburokhman urged investigators to examine everyone involved, including “field operatives and those who gave orders to beneficiaries, whether individuals, political parties, politicians or political groups,” ANTARA News reported.

The INP has scheduled its next KKEP hearing for next week, but the political pressure to expand the probe into a treason investigation continues to mount.