Cabinet Secretary Teddy Calls Said Iqbal Late at Night to Inform Him of Cabinet Position

The President of the Labour Party, Said Iqbal, claimed he received a phone call from the Cabinet Secretary, Letkol Teddy Indra Wijaya, on Sunday (7/6) evening regarding his upcoming inauguration at the Palace. During the call, Said was informed that he would be inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto as the Presidential Advisor for Labour.

‘I was called last night by the Cabinet Secretary, Letkol Teddy. As the Presidential Special Advisor for Labour, with a position equivalent to a minister in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 137/2024,’ Said stated when contacted on Monday (8/6). The President of the Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions (KSPI) added that his inauguration as presidential advisor is scheduled to take place this afternoon at 16:30 WIB at the Palace.

News of Said Iqbal joining the government was previously hinted at by the Indonesian State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi. Pras noted that the potential role for Said likely relates to his long-standing involvement in labour and employment issues.

Andi Gani, President of the Indonesian Confederation of All Trade Unions (KSPSI), also recently confirmed the news of Said Iqbal being brought into the Prabowo administration. Andi expressed his full support for Said Iqbal’s entry into the government, believing that a labour leader within the administration will maintain his commitment and allegiance to the labour movement. ‘It is an extraordinary synergy: labour leaders choosing to be within the circle of power and labour leaders choosing to remain outside the government, supporting each other in the struggle for Indonesian labour,’ he said.