KSPI President: May Day Must Be Peaceful, Orderly, and Free from Anarchy

JAKARTA - The President of the Indonesian Workers’ Confederation (KSPI) and Labour Party, Said Iqbal, has called on workers participating in the May Day or International Labour Day celebrations on Friday (1/5/2026) at Monas in Jakarta to remain orderly and refrain from any anarchic behaviour. He also urged all workers to respect the broader interests of the public. “I repeat once again that the May Day actions or celebrations across Indonesia must be peaceful, orderly, anti-violence, and must not be anarchic; respect the interests of other people,” said Said during an online press conference on Wednesday (29/4/2026). Said noted that, in addition to Monas, this year’s May Day celebrations will be held simultaneously in 38 provinces and more than 350 regencies/cities. Furthermore, actions will take place in eastern Indonesian regions, such as Manado, Kendari, Ambon, Ternate, Kupang, and several cities in Papua. According to Said, the May Day commemoration is not merely a ceremonial activity but a moment for workers to convey their aspirations to the government in an orderly and constructive manner. Specifically in Jakarta, the celebration will be centred at the Monas area and attended by President Prabowo Subianto. “Finally, we will meet with President Prabowo Subianto to present 11 issues or 11 hopes of Indonesian workers,” Said revealed. KSPI has also confirmed that around 50,000 of its member workers will attend directly at Monas, while the total number of participants is estimated to reach hundreds of thousands due to the involvement of various other labour unions. He called on all action participants not to engage in actions that harm the public, such as disrupting public order. “It must be emphasised, urged, and instructed to KSPI member workers, party sympathisers, and other workers throughout Indonesia to participate in the May Day celebrations with full joy and fighting spirit, peacefully, mandatorily orderly, must not be anarchic, and anti-violence,” he concluded.