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.

A file photo of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (centre) and former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo (right) that was taken on Feb 28, 2024. (File photo: CNA/Danang Wisanggeni) 05 Nov 2026 06:36PM Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST JAKARTA: Allegations of wiretapping targeting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, which came to light late on Tuesday (Nov 3), are the latest in a series of controversies involving the surveillance of the country's top leaders over the years.

The latest case has implicated former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo - who was most recently a part of Prabowo's cabinet - and two other senior police officials, with authorities warning that more arrests could be made.

Previous incidents include the leak of a telephone conversation involving then-president BJ Habibie in 1998, an Australian intelligence operation targeting Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2009 when he sat in office, and the discovery of suspected surveillance devices at facilities used by Joko Widodo before he became president.

Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri has also spoken about her concerns over the interception of private communications. In 2024, she claimed she was frequently targeted by surveillance and had avoided using her personal mobile phone.

These incidents unfolded against different political backdrops, from Indonesia's transition to democracy during the Reformasi era and diplomatic tensions with Australia to allegations of abuse of authority by security agencies.

CNA looks back at the history of alleged wiretapping and surveillance cases involving Indonesia's leaders.

The conversation which took place on Dec 10, 1998 reportedly concerned the legal handling of former president Suharto, who had stepped down from power in May that year.

A transcript of the leaked conversation subsequently circulated in national media in February 1999, prompting concerns over the confidentiality of communications within the presidential palace.

The incident came as the Habibie administration faced political pressure during Indonesia’s transition to democracy following the end of Suharto’s authoritarian New Order regime.

According to media reports, a small microphone was suspected to have been concealed in the president’s office.

But the identity of those responsible for the alleged surveillance and the release of the transcript was never publicly disclosed.