Museum Marsinah Built Without State Budget Funds

The construction of the Marsinah Museum and a workers’ guesthouse in Nganjuk, East Java, valued at IDR 3.8 billion, is reported to have not used the State Budget (APBN) or the Regional Budget (APBD).

The President of the All-Indonesia Labour Union Confederation (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, stated that the budget for building the Marsinah Museum came entirely from donations from the extended family of KSPSI AGN.

Andi Gani said that the economic strength of labour cooperatives is the main foundation for the construction of the Marsinah Museum and the workers’ guesthouse.

“The total budget for this museum reaches almost IDR 3.8 billion. I assure you that there are no government funds, no APBN or APBD. It all comes from donations from the extended family of KSPSI AGN,” said Andi Gani during the inauguration of the Marsinah Museum, as quoted by detik, Saturday (16/5).

Andi Gani explained that the economic strength of KSPSI AGN’s labour cooperatives is currently continuing to grow. He said that the total assets of cooperatives owned by the KSPSI work unit leadership network have reached IDR 2.1 trillion.

“KSPSI AGN has a very strong cooperative base. The total assets of our labour cooperatives have reached IDR 2.1 trillion. There are labour cooperatives with assets of IDR 750 billion, and some with IDR 300 billion,” he said.

Furthermore, Andi Gani explained that the construction of the Marsinah Museum and the workers’ guesthouse in Nganjuk is a form of respect for Marsinah’s struggle as a symbol of the Indonesian labour movement.

“This is our form of respect for Ibu Marsinah as a labour fighter. Therefore, this museum was built through mutual cooperation by the extended family of KSPSI throughout Indonesia,” he said.

Andi Gani added that after being inaugurated by President Prabowo today, the Marsinah Museum will be open to the public free of charge every day from 10:00 to 17:00 WIB.

Its management will be carried out by a foundation formed by KSPSI East Java, and will involve Marsinah’s family.

“Earlier, it was inaugurated by Mr. President Prabowo Subianto, who also paid his respects at Marsinah’s grave. This is an extraordinary form of respect from the state for the struggle of workers and for Ibu Marsinah,” he said.

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