JakartaPost-Nov 9
The wiretapping scandal targeting President Prabowo Subianto could feed distrust within the ruling coalition, as more political parties call for investigators to get to the bottom of what could amount to a treason attempt, testing political loyalties amid a growing possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. In one of the biggest political scandals to hit the country, former police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo was arrested alongside three generals for allegedly intercepting the communications of Prabowo and other prominent figures over the past year without authorization. The police are now investigating possible treason charges against Listyo, who is widely known as having close ties with former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The arrest came amid what analysts describe as a widening rift between Prabowo and his predecessor Jokowi, whose backing helped secure Prabowo’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, with Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate. As the scandal threatens to deepen that rift, questions have emerged over the future of Jokowi’s allies within the administration, with speculation mounting over whether the fallout could put their positions at risk. On Thursday, Jokowi told reporters: “We should all respect the ongoing legal process. Let us wait and see”. Political analyst Dedi Kurnia Syah said the scandal could potentially prompt Prabowo to reassess the composition of his cabinet, placing “loyalty” as his priority, with a reshuffle becoming inevitable in the near future. “Any reshuffle would likely target figures potentially affiliated with Jokowi to further consolidate his authority,” Dedi said on Saturday, adding the move may gain public support given that the wiretapping scandal is viewed as “an issue of national sovereignty”. Prabowo’s cabinet rests on a broad political coalition comprising the majority of political parties in the legislature, military and police figures and businesspeople who supported his presidential bid, as well as figures with close ties to Jokowi. Over the past week, elites from some political parties have called for the police to get to the bottom of the scandal. Democratic Party secretary-general Herman Khaeron described the alleged surveillance against Prabowo as a “grave legal violation”. Read more at:
https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/11/09/wiretap-scandal-could-trigger-shake-up-in-ruling-coalition?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=home_headlines
