Labour Party Secretary-General and 1.3 Million Members Resign Amid Internal Strife

The Secretary-General of the Labour Party, Ferri Nuzarli, officially announced his resignation on Friday (26/6), together with 1.3 million members and administrators of the Indonesian People’s Organisation (ORI). They stated they were resigning from the Labour Party due to differences of opinion regarding the party’s direction of struggle. ‘This decision was not an easy one. However, after various considerations and evaluations, we see that there are fundamental differences in views, attitudes, and the direction of the struggle,’ Ferri said during a press conference on Friday (26/6), as quoted on Sunday (28/6). He explained that ORI is the political wing of the All-Indonesia Workers’ Union Confederation (KSPSI) led by Andi Gani. Ferri noted that ORI, founded in 2013, was also one of the 11 initiating organisations for the establishment of the Labour Party during its first congress in October 2021. Along with himself, around 1.3 million ORI members across Indonesia also resigned from the Labour Party starting Friday (26/6). He instructed all ORI administrators holding structural positions in the Labour Party at the central, provincial, district, city, and sub-district levels to immediately submit their administrative resignations. Ferri said the resigning administrators are spread across various regions, including North Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, Riau Islands, South Sumatra, Lampung, West Sumatra, DKI Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, and Papua. He likened the relationship between ORI and the Labour Party to a household facing prolonged problems, where various attempts at a familial resolution have failed to yield results. Despite this, Ferri stressed that the resignation was conducted amicably and that they would maintain fraternal relations with the Labour Party. ‘We have long tried to resolve this internal issue amicably, but the problems kept mounting until, based on evaluations and input from all regions, we decided this is where it ends,’ he said. Responding to the move, Labour Party President Said Iqbal was tight-lipped, stating that the resignation of cadres in a political party is normal and will not affect the Labour Party’s solidity. ‘I have no comment regarding my friend’s claims, especially concerning the 1.3 million members,’ Said told CNNIndonesia.com on Saturday (27/6) evening. He added that the party would proceed with the inauguration of its central plenary board and administrators in 38 provinces and 493 regencies and cities on Monday (29/6). Said also confirmed that the Secretary-General position vacated by Ferri would be filled by an internal party cadre. ‘From within the Labour Party (the Secretary-General),’ he said. According to the Labour Party’s official website, the party was rebuilt by founders from four major labour confederations and 50 national-level trade union federations, as well as forums for teachers, honorary staff, farmers, and fishermen. The Labour Party debuted as a participant in the 2024 General Election but failed to win any seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) and enter Senayan.