Large TNI Force Deployed to Jakarta Amid Wiretapping Case

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has commented on reports that a large number of personnel were deployed to Jakarta on Tuesday (4 November).

The TNI said the troop deployment was part of its national duty to safeguard the unity of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

TNI Information Centre chief Major General Muhammad Nas said the institution must remain on alert to carry out its duty to protect the nation and state.

“Troop deployments are a normal occurrence because the TNI is required to remain on alert to protect the entire nation and safeguard the unity of the NKRI, and to be ready to carry out its duties in accordance with applicable laws,” Nas said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Nas did not, however, specify the deployment’s particular purpose or disclose how many soldiers had been sent to the capital.

He did not respond when asked whether the deployment was connected to preparations for possible demonstrations in the near future.

Earlier, reports circulated that a large number of personnel from the TNI’s three services were being sent to Jakarta. The Indonesian Navy was among the services said to be deploying troops.

The large-scale deployment has attracted attention amid the disclosure of an illegal wiretapping case involving President Prabowo Subianto, allegedly carried out by former National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and others.

Three serving generals have been named as suspects in the alleged illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo.

They are former National Police chief and current Presidential Chief of Staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo (LSP); National Police Legal Division chief Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution (ASN); and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso (EH), a senior police instructor at the National Police Education and Training Institute’s Sespim leadership school.

Another general, identified by the initials SU and named as Inspector General Slamet Uliandi, is reportedly still a witness in the case.

The suspects have been charged under Article 258 and/or Article 332, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Criminal Code, and/or Article 32, paragraph 1, of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. All three are being held at the National Police Headquarters detention centre.