Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian denied allegations linking him to the suspected illegal surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto, dismissing social media rumors that he faced an overseas travel ban.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, 9 November 2026, Tito rejected claims that he had been barred from traveling abroad or that his official residence served as a meeting place for suspects in the wiretapping investigation.
The controversy stems from an unauthorized surveillance probe involving four senior police officers, including former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who left office approximately 40 days prior to the current inquiry. Addressing online reports placing him on a travel-restriction list, jawawa.id reported Tito stating, “I’m here; there is no travel ban. There are far too many hoaxes.”
Tito emphasized his long separation from active law enforcement duties, noting that he stepped down as National Police chief and left the force in 2019, ahead of his scheduled 2022 retirement date. “I retired in 2019, both from the police force and as National Police chief. I have never been involved in police affairs since then,” Tito told reporters at the Presidential Palace, as detailed by the Jakarta Globe.
Addressing additional claims circulating online that suspects gathered at his official residence on Wijaya Chandra IV, Tito clarified that his actual home is located on Wijaya Chandra I. He maintained that his demanding schedule as a cabinet minister leaves him neither the time nor the inclination to monitor internal police operations.
“President Prabowo entrusted me with the position of home affairs minister, and I am carrying out that responsibility to the best of my ability. It takes an extraordinary amount of my time because there is so much work to do,” Tito said, adding that oversight of law enforcement matters rests entirely with currently active officials.
Tito’s public denials followed a high-level gathering at President Prabowo’s private residence in Bogor Regency, West Java. The meeting brought together the sitting National Police chief, General Suyudi Ario Seto, alongside nine other former National Police chiefs: Roesmanhadi, Roesdihardjo, Suroyo Bimantoro, Da’i Bachtiar, Sutanto, Bambang Hendarso Danuri, Timur Pradopo, Sutarman, and Badrodin Haiti.
House Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed that the ongoing wiretapping investigation was discussed during the presidential gathering, though he declined to elaborate further on the private discussions. Tito similarly offered few details about the session, explaining that President Prabowo used the meeting to seek backing from the police leadership community for state programs centered on public welfare and the prevention of financial losses to the government.
Jawawa.id noted that the strategic talks between the president and the former police chiefs also touched upon pressing national issues, including state data leaks.
Alongside the police figures, the gathering drew key defense and security officials, including Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, State Intelligence Agency chief Muhammad Herindra, Army Chief of Staff General Tandyo Budi Revita, Deputy Defense Minister Air Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
