Politics · Indonesia · 5 hrs ago
Indonesian legislator calls for law to regulate surveillance
Indonesian legislator TB Hasanuddin has proposed a law to regulate surveillance.
He says Indonesia lacks a comprehensive law covering how surveillance is authorised and carried out.
The proposal would set limits and oversight for agencies including the police, military, intelligence agency and anti-corruption commission.
It would also cover permits, time limits, how intercepted material is handled and penalties for misuse.
The call comes amid an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and others; police have named four senior officers as suspects.
Hasanuddin says the allegations should be investigated objectively, and says each surveillance operation must have a legal basis and be accountable.
The government and parliament would need to act on the proposal for it to become law.
Indonesian legislator TB Hasanuddin has proposed a specific law to regulate surveillance, including who can conduct it and what penalties apply for misuse.
He said surveillance powers should have clear legal authority, limits and oversight to protect privacy.
Hasanuddin said the law should cover permissions, time limits, oversight and the handling of intercepted material.
He also called for an objective investigation into alleged illegal surveillance involving former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Police have named four senior officers as suspects in the alleged surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto and other figures.
- Who
- TB Hasanuddin, a member of Commission I of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, proposed the law.
- What
- He called for a specific law to regulate surveillance powers, procedures, oversight and penalties.
- When
- He made the statement on Friday, 13 November 2026, according to the article.
- Where
- Jakarta.
- Why
- He said there is no comprehensive specific law and that surveillance could affect privacy and be used for political, economic, social or cultural purposes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police named four senior officers as suspects in the alleged illegal surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto and other figures.
TB Hasanuddin called for a specific law to regulate surveillance.
- Proposer
- TB Hasanuddin
- Institutions with surveillance powers named
- Police, military, BIN, KPK, BNPT and the Attorney General’s Office
- Suspects
- Four senior officers
- President named in alleged surveillance case
- Prabowo Subianto
- Proposed law coverage
- Permissions, time limits, oversight, intercepted material and penalties
What people are saying
In essence, we do not yet have a specific law that comprehensively regulates interception. Yet interception is not only related to law enforcement, but also has the potential to be used for political, economic, social and cultural interests.
The authority and mechanisms must therefore be clearly regulated by law.
Every surveillance operation must have a legal basis and be accountable.
A specific law on surveillance must regulate the authority of institutions, authorization procedures, time limits, oversight mechanisms, the management of intercepted material, and penalties for those who misuse their authority.