Police have named a fourth senior officer, identified by the initials S.U., as a suspect in the alleged attempt to intercept President Prabowo Subianto’s phone number, amid wider political tensions.
At a Nov. 5 news conference, cybercrime unit director Suhermanto said two other suspects sought S.U.’s consent before trying to intercept the number and again before deleting related records. Suhermanto cited S.U.’s health as the reason police had not detained him.
Police have not established a motive for the alleged operation. Investigators have questioned 13 officers and five specialists in criminal matters and information technology. National police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said the police chief formed a team to examine the case.
Reuters reported that S.U. oversaw information and technology work at Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Agency from 2021 through 2026. He had held a monitoring role at the agency from 2010 to 2019, Reuters said.
Three other senior officers were arrested Nov. 3, including former national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Listyo served as Prabowo’s chief of staff until the president dismissed him Nov. 4. Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said Prabowo signed the decision. EconoTimes previously covered Listyo’s dismissal.
Reuters reported that the case has sharpened tensions between Prabowo and former President Joko Widodo. Listyo is widely viewed as aligned with Widodo, Reuters said. The outlet also linked pressure on Prabowo to public opposition to expensive populist policies and reduced investor confidence in Indonesia’s $1.5 trillion economy.
Thousands of troops were sent to Jakarta after the allegations emerged, Reuters reported. The capital saw no unrest on Nov. 5 or 6, though military tents, buses and a small contingent of soldiers remained visible, the outlet said.
Lawmakers are also considering a probe into Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s eligibility. Reuters identified Gibran as Widodo’s son and said an inquiry could put his position at risk.
