INDONESIA has deployed more than 20,000 military personnel to Jakarta as an investigation into an alleged illegal wiretapping operation involving senior police officials intensifies political tensions in the country.
AP reported today that the deployment began on Wednesday, the same day President Prabowo Subianto dismissed his Presidential Chief of Staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who had been detained a day earlier alongside two other senior police officers over allegations of illegal surveillance.
However, authorities have not confirmed that the military deployment was directly linked to the wiretapping investigation.
Navy spokesperson Tunggul said the deployment was intended to maintain national stability and security.
"The deployment is also related to military exercises scheduled to take place in areas near Jakarta," he said.
The presence of military personnel on Jakarta's streets is not unusual, as security forces are frequently deployed ahead of anti-government demonstrations.
Listyo, who was appointed Presidential Chief of Staff only weeks ago, is among three suspects accused of illegally intercepting communications involving Prabowo and several other individuals, including journalists, politicians, government officials and businesspeople, since 2025.
Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi described the alleged surveillance as an abuse of authority that could threaten national interests and the security of the country's leadership.
"Such actions also tend towards conduct that could threaten the interests and security of the country's leadership," he said.
The scandal has emerged as Prabowo faces growing political pressure over public dissatisfaction with his government's costly populist policies.
Investor confidence has also come under pressure as Southeast Asia's largest economy, valued at about US$1.5 trillion, grapples with economic challenges.
Political tensions have also intensified in recent weeks amid reported strains between Prabowo and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who retains considerable political influence despite leaving office.
Listyo, a former national police chief, was widely regarded as a close ally of Widodo.
Prabowo won the 2024 presidential election by a landslide, but public support for his administration has reportedly weakened as concerns grow over rising food prices and implementation problems affecting key government programmes, including the free meals initiative and village cooperatives.
The allegations against the three officers remain under investigation, with authorities yet to establish the motive behind the alleged surveillance. - November 5, 2026
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