Commission III: Alleged Presidential Wiretapping Case Cannot Be Handled Under the Criminal Code and Electronic Information Law Alone

Rudianto Lallo, a member of the NasDem faction on Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), said the alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and several other people by former National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo cannot be handled solely under the Criminal Code (KUHP) and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE).

He said the case could not be viewed as an ordinary legal violation because it involves the most serious considerations, including the President’s position as both head of government and head of state.

“This matter cannot be seen merely as an ordinary legal violation under the Criminal Code or the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. There is a national security dimension that must be examined seriously,” Rudianto said when contacted on Wednesday (4 November).

In a presidential system, he said, the President not only performs executive functions but also represents the state. Therefore, any illegal act that could threaten national security or the President’s constitutional duties must be treated seriously.

Rudianto added that the alleged illegal wiretapping involved a police general and the use of state instruments for purposes beyond their authorised remit.

He said suspected abuse of power by someone who had been within law enforcement institutions should receive particular attention during the investigation.

Rudianto urged investigators not to stop at those who carried out the operation, but to trace the entire chain of events, including those who planned, ordered or facilitated the alleged wiretapping, as well as anyone who benefited from it.

“The case must be investigated fully. Who carried it out, who ordered it, who facilitated it and who was the mastermind must be clearly identified. The process must not reach only those on the ground while the principal actors behind them remain untouched,” he said.

He also called on investigators to disclose updates on the case transparently, provided this did not prejudice the investigation or violate applicable law.

Transparency was needed, Rudianto said, to ensure law enforcement remained objective and professional and was not influenced by the interests of particular groups or individuals.

“Anyone proven to be involved must be held accountable under the law,” he said.

The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has named Listyo, National Police Legal Division Chief Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, and Senior Police Educator First Class Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso as suspects in the alleged illegal wiretapping case.

According to the initial investigation, the surveillance also targeted ministers, political figures, businesspeople, media organisations and community leaders, in addition to Prabowo.

National Police Criminal Investigation Agency Chief Commissioner General Asep Safrudin said the three suspects allegedly carried out the operation between 2025 and 2026. They are suspected of ordering wiretapping without following procedures. Several numbers were reportedly entered into a National Police wiretapping device without verification, including President Prabowo’s telephone number.

“The numbers were then tapped without any connection to, or as part of, a law enforcement process,” Asep said at a press conference on Tuesday evening (3 November).

The suspects are accused of violating Article 258 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence; Article 332(1) and/or (2) of the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum six-year sentence; and Article 31(1) of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, which carries a maximum eight-year prison sentence.