Indonesia Mobilizes 21,000 Troops Amid Presidential Spy Scandal
Indonesia mobilizes troops in Jakarta as three senior police officers face allegations of illegally wiretapping President Prabowo Subianto.
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Indonesia's military announced plans to mobilize nearly 21,000 personnel in Jakarta as authorities investigated an alleged illegal surveillance operation targeting President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures.
The deployment coincided with the detention of three senior police officers, including former national police chief and recently appointed presidential chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
President Prabowo dismissed Listyo from his presidential post on November 4 following his detention.
Investigators allege the officers illegally intercepted communications involving the president, government officials, politicians, journalists and business executives between 2025 and 2026.
Police also accused the suspects of ordering electronic surveillance records deleted to conceal evidence.
The presidential palace warned that unauthorized surveillance of the head of state could threaten national security and potentially constitute treason.
Meanwhile, Indonesian military officials confirmed a security mobilization involving up to 20,980 personnel in the capital.
According to military officials, the deployment plan included 2,100 personnel already stationed in Jakarta and additional units arriving from outside the city.
Another 13,140 military personnel were placed on standby at their bases.
The armed forces described the mobilization as a routine measure to maintain national security and prepare for military activities.
Authorities have not established a direct connection between the troop movements and the wiretapping investigation.
The arrests have raised questions about political tensions within Indonesia's security establishment, particularly because one of the suspects previously led the national police.
The government has pledged an objective and transparent investigation.
The suspects have not publicly responded to the allegations, and investigators have yet to establish who ultimately directed the alleged surveillance operation or its purpose.
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