From Habibie to Prabowo: A history of wiretapping controversies involving Indonesian presidents
The communication surveillance scandal involving President Prabowo Subianto is the latest in a line of such incidents that have targeted his predecessors.
President Prabowo Subianto is currently embroiled in a wiretapping scandal that has drawn attention to a series of similar incidents involving his predecessors. The latest allegations allege that Listyo Sigit Prabowo, a former National Police chief and cabinet minister, as well as two other senior police officials, were involved in the surveillance. Authorities have warned that additional arrests may be forthcoming.
Other notable cases include the leak of a telephone conversation involving former President BJ Habibie in 1998, an Australian intelligence operation targeting Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2009, and the discovery of suspected surveillance devices at facilities used by President Joko Widodo before he took office.
Former President Megawati Soekarnoputri has also raised concerns about the interception of private communications, stating that she frequently experienced surveillance and avoided using her personal mobile phone due to this fear. She expressed frustration by confronting individuals she suspected of conducting surveillance when she became president.
During Indonesia's transition to democracy following the end of Suharto's authoritarian rule, a leaked telephone conversation between President Habibie and the Attorney General in December 1998 sparked controversy. The conversation reportedly concerned the legal handling of former President Suharto and was leaked roughly a month later, leading to concerns over the privacy of presidential communications. The identity of those responsible for the surveillance was never revealed.
Megawati Soekarnoputri's claims of frequent surveillance have been echoed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who faced similar allegations during his presidency. In 2009, Australian intelligence reportedly targeted Susilo's mobile phone communications for 15 days, sparking diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The surveillance operation revealed government officials and close associates of Susilo as potential targets, leading to strained relations and diplomatic protests from Indonesia.
Joko Widodo, before becoming president, was also linked to surveillance allegations while serving as Jakarta governor. Internal security team members discovered suspected recording devices at several locations under his jurisdiction. These incidents have shed light on the ongoing concerns regarding the abuse of authority by security agencies and the need for greater transparency in Indonesia's surveillance practices.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
