Prabowo's Reason for Appointing Said Iqbal as Presidential Advisor for Manpower

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has appointed the President of the Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions (KSPI) and President of the Labor Party Said Iqbal, as presidential advisers for employment and labor welfare.

The government said the decision was made based on Said Iqbal's long track record in fighting for workers' rights and voicing various labor issues in Indonesia.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that Said's experience in accompanying labor groups was one of President Prabowo's main considerations.

According to Prasetyo, Said's presence in the presidential advisory circle is expected to strengthen communication between the government and the workers so that various labor aspirations can be conveyed more effectively in the policy-making process.

"The president hopes that communication can be more intense inside, we will continue to fight together for what is the hope of our labor and employment," said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 8.

He explained that the appointment was also related to the idea of the establishment of the Labor Welfare Council which was conveyed by President Prabowo on the International Labor Day or May Day 2025.

After going through various studies, the government assessed that the purpose of the council's establishment could be achieved through a simpler and more effective mechanism. Therefore, the President chose to directly appoint labor figures to be advisers in the field of employment and worker welfare.

According to Prasetyo, this step is expected to be able to create faster, more flexible communication, and not be hampered by bureaucratic processes.

"The essence that is expected is the same, there is much more liquid communication, much more intense, not bureaucratic. In terms of once again we are fighting for what the workers have been hoping for, especially in the current economic situation," he said.

The government believes that the direct involvement of labor representatives in the presidential advisory structure will facilitate the delivery of workers' aspirations while strengthening the formulation of policies related to employment and workers' welfare.