Indonesia’s Political Tensions Rise Amid Presidential Wiretapping Scandal

Indonesia’s political landscape has been shaken by allegations that President Prabowo Subianto’s phone conversations may have been illegally monitored. The scandal has raised questions about political stability and the increasingly strained relationship between President Prabowo and his predecessor, Joko Widodo, widely known as Jokowi.

According to a BBC report published on 6 November 2026, several senior figures, including Prabowo’s former chief of staff, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, have been implicated in an alleged illegal surveillance operation.

The incident is attracting significant attention, not only because of the alleged wiretapping itself, but also because it could signal a deeper political rift within Indonesia’s leadership.

Allegations of Illegal Surveillance

Authorities suspect that the police’s official electronic surveillance system was used to monitor telephone numbers, including that of President Prabowo, without following the required legal procedures.

The alleged surveillance reportedly extended beyond the president, with politicians, journalists, NGO representatives and businesspeople also among the potential targets.

The authorities are treating the matter as a serious national security issue, with possible treason charges being considered.

The investigation is ongoing, and the full extent and motivation behind the alleged operation remain unclear.

Growing Rift Between Prabowo and Former President Jokowi

One of the most significant aspects of the scandal is its potential connection to the deteriorating relationship between President Prabowo and former President Jokowi.

During the 2024 presidential election, Jokowi supported Prabowo’s presidential campaign, helping him secure victory. Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, subsequently became vice-president.

However, relations between the two political figures appear to have become increasingly strained since Prabowo took office.

Prabowo has placed greater emphasis on his own flagship policies, particularly the nationwide free school meals programme, while showing less commitment to some of Jokowi’s legacy projects, including the development of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.

Prabowo has also reshuffled several government positions, with some figures closely associated with Jokowi being moved out of influential roles.

Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was previously Indonesia’s national police chief under Jokowi, is widely regarded as having close ties to the former president.

His involvement in the current investigation has therefore fuelled speculation about the growing political divide between the two camps.

It is important to note, however, that there is currently no established evidence linking Jokowi directly to the alleged wiretapping operation.

Potential Implications for Indonesia’s Economy and Foreign Investors

The political controversy comes at a challenging time for Indonesia, which is already facing several economic and social pressures.

Key issues include:

• Funding challenges surrounding the government's free school meals programme.

• Environmental concerns, including severe forest fires and air pollution.

• Allegations of market manipulation affecting the domestic stock market.

• Rising living costs and growing public dissatisfaction.

• Continuing concerns over corruption and government accountability.

Political uncertainty could potentially affect investor confidence, particularly if tensions within the administration begin to undermine policy consistency or institutional stability.

Indonesia remains one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies and an important destination for foreign investment, supported by its large population, domestic consumption and long-term growth potential.

For international businesses and investors, the stability of the government and the continuity of economic policies will remain important considerations.

What to Watch Going Forward

The key question is whether this scandal will remain an isolated law enforcement matter or develop into a broader political confrontation involving the country's major power groups.

The investigation, future government appointments and the continuing influence of Jokowi will be important developments to monitor.

Indonesia remains a strategically important economy in Southeast Asia. Any significant changes in its political environment could have implications beyond domestic politics, particularly for foreign investors and multinational companies operating in the region.

For now, the situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks may provide a clearer picture of the political dynamics shaping Indonesia’s future.

Source: BBC News – What to Know About the Presidential Wiretapping Scandal Rocking Indonesia (6 November 2026)

What Are the U.S. Midterm Elections?

The U.S. midterm elections have been in the news a lot lately. So, let’s start with the basics: what exactly are the midterms, and why do they matter?

Midterm elections take place two years after a presidential election, halfway through the president’s four-year term. Voters elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate. Many states and local governments also hold elections on the same day. USA.gov’s guide to midterm elections

The president is not on the ballot, but the results can have a major effect on how the administration governs. If the president’s party loses seats in Congress, it may become harder to pass legislation and budgets, while the opposing party may gain more power to scrutinize and check the president. If the president’s party keeps its majorities, the administration may have an easier time advancing its agenda.

Midterm elections therefore do more than determine who serves in Congress. They are also widely seen as an opportunity for voters to weigh in on the president’s record. The results can shape policy for the rest of the term and influence how both parties prepare for the next presidential election.

Why the 2026 Midterms Are in the News

The 2026 midterm elections were held on November 3. The Associated Press reported that Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The result is expected to affect how President Trump governs during the remaining two years of his term. Associated Press coverage

My Thoughts After Watching GMO President Kumagai’s Press Conference

Today, I watched GMO President Kumagai’s press conference. It lasted three hours, so I didn’t listen closely to every minute, but I had it on in the background and got a general understanding of the situation.

According to the explanation at the press conference, a security company within the group identified a vulnerability about two years ago. They reportedly made several attempts to address it, but were unable to prevent the issue. It seems that the vulnerability was exploited in the recent attack. The matter was not escalated to President Kumagai at the time, and he said he takes responsibility for that as well.

There has been a lot of criticism suggesting that the incident happened because the company was seriously negligent. However, my impression after listening to the press conference was that the technical issue may have been difficult to resolve. Given that people have been affected, the incident certainly needs to be thoroughly investigated. Still, I personally did not come away thinking that the company had simply been negligent.

Another point that stayed with me was President Kumagai’s comment that he started his business around the time Windows 95 was released in 1995. I also belong to the generation that started using computers around that time, so hearing him talk about it brought back memories. Knowing that he has spent around 30 years building a business in the internet industry made me feel a certain personal connection to him.

For that reason, seeing the harsh criticism directed at him on X and elsewhere made me feel a little sorry for him. At the press conference, there was also a suggestion that the attackers might be deliberately using social media to spread criticism. I don’t know whether that is true, though. As readers, we should be careful to distinguish what is confirmed from what is speculation.

The press conference also touched on how advances in AI may make it easier for attackers to find security vulnerabilities. That is genuinely concerning. There was also discussion of Japan developing a system for what is known as “active cyber defense,” so that the government can take steps to prevent attacks before they happen. I believe these kinds of measures will become increasingly important.

This incident is certainly not something to take lightly, especially given the people who have been affected. At the same time, I hope it will lead companies and the government to review their security measures and take further steps to make the internet safer.

Cyberattacks and Data Breaches on the Rise in Singapore

News about data breaches caused by hacking continues to emerge around the world, including in Japan. Singapore is no exception. Government agencies and businesses have faced cyberattacks, while personal information has also been exposed through third-party vendors and cloud environments.

Many organisations have experienced cyber incidents

According to a 2025 survey published by Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA), nearly nine in ten of the businesses and non-profit organisations surveyed had experienced at least one cyber incident. Ransomware was the most commonly reported type of incident, followed by compromised credentials and social engineering attacks such as phishing.

Cyberattacks are no longer a concern for large companies alone. Small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organisations may also be at risk, particularly when they have limited staff or cybersecurity expertise.

Data can be exposed through vendors and testing environments

Recent incidents show that data breaches do not only result from direct attacks on an organisation’s live systems. Vendor systems and development or testing environments can also become sources of unauthorised access or poor data handling.

In October 2026, unauthorised access to the membership database of healthcare services provider Alliance Medinet reportedly affected about 110,000 people. The potentially exposed information included names, identification numbers and contact details. Customers of insurance companies that use Alliance Medinet’s services were also among those affected. CNA report

In July 2026, personal information belonging to about 70,000 people was reportedly exposed in a cloud environment managed by IBM, a vendor to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The information included names, NRIC numbers and past addresses. Data intended for testing was supposed to be anonymised, but it was found to contain real personal information. CNA report

Critical infrastructure and financial services are also targets

In 2025, customer information from DBS and Bank of China’s Singapore branch was extracted in a ransomware attack on Toppan Next Tech, a company providing printing and mailing services. The authorities said that customers’ bank login credentials were not compromised. However, the incident highlighted the risks of data breaches through third-party vendors. Joint statement by CSA and MAS

The telecommunications sector has also been targeted. Singtel, M1, StarHub and SIMBA, Singapore’s four major telcos, were hit by a sophisticated cyberattack. According to the authorities, the attackers accessed some critical systems, but there was no evidence of disruption to telecommunications services or theft of customer data. CNA report

Cybersecurity matters to individuals too

After a data breach is reported, people should also watch out for scams and phishing attempts using the exposed information. Fraudsters may impersonate businesses or government agencies and send emails, text messages or calls claiming to help with the breach or asking recipients to verify their accounts.

Before opening links in suspicious messages or sharing passwords and verification codes, check the information through the organisation’s official website or a contact number you already know.

Conclusion

Singapore has seen ransomware attacks and sophisticated targeted intrusions, as well as data breaches involving vendors, cloud environments and the handling of information used for testing. Cybersecurity requires organisations to protect not only their own systems, but also the information they share with vendors and other business partners.

Individuals also need to do more than follow the news. They should stay alert to scams and phishing attempts that may follow a data breach.

Indonesia’s Protests and Its Ties with Singapore

A clear guide to the demonstrations, MSCI, haze and natural gas

In Indonesia, public frustration over the cost of living, subsidy cuts, government spending and the response to forest fires has spilled onto the streets. At the same time, concerns about the country’s stock market and a cut in natural gas exports to Singapore have drawn attention.

These may seem like separate issues, but they share a common question: Is the government putting people’s needs first, and how should the country’s budget and resources be used?

What is behind the protests?

In October, students took to the streets to protest rising prices, reduced subsidies and the government’s handling of forest fires. Some questioned whether the government was spending too much on its popular free school meals programme while leaving too little for disaster prevention and infrastructure.

Higher fuel prices and shortages of subsidised fuel have added to pressure on households. Young Indonesians have also voiced concerns about job opportunities, the cost of basic goods, teachers’ pay and government accountability. The protests reflect more than opposition to one policy: many people feel the government has not delivered the better living standards they had hoped for. CNA’s report, ABC’s analysis

The haze turns a domestic problem into a cross-border issue

Forest and peatland fires in Sumatra, Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia have sent smoke across the country and into Singapore and Malaysia. Indonesian students have urged the government to declare the fires a national disaster and take stronger action.

Singapore has issued notices to Indonesian companies that may be linked to the fires, asking them to fight fires and prevent them from happening again. The notices do not, by themselves, establish that the companies are legally responsible. On October 27, Singapore and Indonesia agreed to set up a task force to cooperate on enforcement and company investigations. Singapore’s National Environment Agency, Associated Press

The issue is delicate. Singapore has a clear reason to protect its residents’ health and hold companies accountable for haze pollution. In Indonesia, however, Singapore’s legal action could be seen by some as interference in domestic affairs. The key question is whether cooperation between the two countries will lead to effective firefighting and prevention.

MSCI’s concerns are about transparency in Indonesia’s stock market

MSCI has raised concerns about the opacity of share ownership in Indonesia and possible coordinated trading. In October, it began consulting on a proposal to reclassify Indonesia from an “emerging market” to a “standalone market.” If that change goes ahead, funds that track MSCI indexes could pull money out of Indonesian stocks. Reuters report, Associated Press report

This is not the same as saying that Indonesia’s entire economy is in trouble. The main issue is whether investors can trust the transparency and fairness of its stock market. But if confidence weakens, capital outflows and currency pressure could add to concerns about the economy and make it harder for companies to raise funds.

The MSCI dispute has also caused friction with Singapore. A former Indonesian trade minister alleged that Singapore’s state investment firms, GIC and Temasek, pressured MSCI. Both firms denied the allegation. At this point, the allegation has not been established as fact. Associated Press

The gas export cut reflects Indonesia’s focus on domestic supply

In October, Indonesia cut pipeline gas exports to Singapore by about 31 million cubic feet a day. Indonesia said it needed the gas for domestic electricity demand and that the reduction remained within the limits of its contracts. The diverted gas is being sent to meet power needs in Batam and Sumatra. CNA report

Singapore has said it expects suppliers to honour their contracts. The cut is estimated to be less than 2 per cent of Singapore’s total gas demand, and officials say it is unlikely to have a major short-term effect on electricity prices. Singapore also imports liquefied natural gas (LNG), which gives it alternatives to pipeline supplies.

The decision reflects Indonesia’s effort to prioritise its own energy needs. Reliable domestic supply matters, but if existing contracts become less predictable, that could affect confidence in Indonesia as a trading partner. Both countries will need to balance domestic needs with their commercial commitments.

The bigger picture: domestic trust and international confidence are both at stake

In Indonesia, frustration is growing over prices, subsidies, public spending and the response to forest fires. The MSCI issue concerns transparency and investor confidence. The gas cut raises questions about energy security and the reliability of contracts. And the haze shows how an environmental problem can quickly become a diplomatic and legal issue with Singapore.

The relationship between Indonesia and Singapore is not simply one of confrontation. The two countries have agreed to work together on haze, are discussing the gas supply issue, and have faced unverified claims involving Singapore’s investment firms in the MSCI debate. Because their economies are closely connected, the challenge is to balance domestic priorities with regional trust and cooperation.

Singapore’s Q3 2026 Labour Market: Employment Grows, but Retrenchments Reach a Nearly Six-Year High!

Singapore’s labour market continued to expand for the 20th consecutive quarter in Q3 2026. Total employment grew by 27,700, up from 11,400 in Q2 and 25,100 in the same quarter last year. Much of the growth came from non-resident workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors, while resident employment growth was mainly supported by essential and public services.

At the same time, retrenchments increased to 4,800, from 4,620 in the previous quarter. This was the highest quarterly total since Q4 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The retrenchment rate remained at 2 per 1,000 employees. The Ministry of Manpower said business reorganisation was the main reason for the layoffs, which remained elevated in some outward-oriented sectors, including information and communications, financial services and manufacturing.

The overall unemployment rate held steady at 2% in September. However, the unemployment rates for residents and citizens edged up slightly, to 3% and 3.1%, respectively.

Overall, the figures show a mixed picture: employment is growing, but restructuring continues to affect some sectors and retrenchments are rising. These are advance estimates; the full Q3 labour market report is expected in mid-December. (Ministry of Manpower, CNA)

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応募条件：

• 証券会社、FXブローカーもしくはその他金融業界におけるコンプライアンス業務または関連業務経験（1〜4年程度）
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給与：

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