Marsinah's Legacy as a Labour Activist Preserved in a Museum
President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, officially inaugurated the Marsinah Museum and Guest House located in Nglundo Village, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on Saturday (16/5). This inauguration marks a historic moment as a form of state recognition for the struggles of the Indonesian labour activist.
“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. This morning, Saturday, May 16, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the Marsinah Museum and Guest House in Nganjuk Regency, East Java Province,” said Prabowo.
During the ceremony, the President signed the inauguration plaque and took the time to tour the museum. He directly reviewed the traces of Marsinah’s life and the artifacts that were carefully preserved in the building, which was established in the area of the activist’s childhood home.
Marsinah as a National Hero
In his speech, President Prabowo expressed his honour in inaugurating the museum. He recalled the process of designating Marsinah as a National Hero on November 10, 2025, following a collective proposal from various labour organizations in Indonesia.
“I was honoured to make her a national hero. At that time, they (labour organizations) asked that I inaugurate the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk. Okay, I came,” said the President.
The museum is designed not only as a place to store archives and personal belongings but also as a memorial space for the struggles of workers. In addition, the complex is equipped with a guest house facility intended for workers from various regions who visit or need a place to stay.
Role: Labour activist and negotiator for the 1993 minimum wage strike.
Event: Disappeared on May 5, 1993, and found dead four days later.
Title: Awarded as a National Hero by President Prabowo Subianto on November 10, 2025.
Attended by the Red and White Cabinet
The inauguration was also attended by high-ranking state officials and ministers of the Red and White Cabinet. Among them were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Manpower Yassierli, and Minister of Environment and Chairman of the KSPSI Jumhur Hidayat.
Also present were TNI Commander General TNI Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Polisi Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. The presence of these high-ranking officials reaffirms the government’s commitment to preserving the nation’s collective memory of the history of the labour movement in Indonesia.
Marsinah, who during her life fought for the rights of workers and the autonomy of labour unions, now lives on in a museum that is expected to be a source of inspiration for social justice and the protection of workers in the future. (Ant/E-3)