Internationale Anthem Echoes at May Day 2026, Prabowo Joins in Singing

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto joined in singing the legendary workers’ anthem, Internationale, while raising his right fist in the air during the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration held at Monas, Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). This moment occurred after the Head of State had finished delivering his speech at this year’s May Day event. “Arise, ye wretched of the earth, arise, ye prisoners of starvation…,” Prabowo sang in the first verse of the Internationale, as evident from his lip movements. Representatives of workers at the venue also sang the song, which symbolises solidarity and the struggle against oppression. Said Iqbal, President of the Labour Party and President of KSPI, raised his left fist, while President of KSPSI Andi Gani Nena Wea raised his right fist. Ilhamsyah, General Chairman of KPBI, raised his left fist. President of KSBSI Elly Rosita Silaban raised her right fist. There was also Minister of Environment Jumhur Hidayat, formerly known as a labour activist, who raised his right fist, occasionally clenching both fists. In front of hundreds of thousands of workers’ masses, Prabowo also raised his hand while clenching his right fist. Occasionally, he joined in singing the anthem. Prabowo shouted “Long Live the Workers” and “Long Live Indonesia” three times each, amid the singing of the song. Still accompanied by the Internationale anthem, the Head of State shook hands with the union leaders present to his right and left. There was a moment when Prabowo hugged and embraced several worker representatives at the location. From the stage, Prabowo opened his safari shirt and threw it to the worker masses filling the event stage. The crowd scrambled to grab the shirt that Prabowo had worn during the morning May Day event. Wearing only a black T-shirt, the Head of State descended from the stage to return to his vehicle. Along the way, he shook hands with the worker masses that had gathered.