National Police Chief Pledges Continued Support for Workers' Aspirations at KSPSI's 53rd Anniversary
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has affirmed the Indonesian National Police’s (Polri) commitment to continuing to safeguard the aspirations of workers across Indonesia. In his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Confederation of All-Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), General Sigit assured that Polri would always be present in supporting workers’ efforts to secure their rights within the prevailing legal framework.
The statement was delivered during the thanksgiving ceremony marking the 53rd anniversary of KSPSI and Indonesian Workers’ Day (Harpekindo) 2026 in Purwakarta, West Java, on Saturday (21 February 2026).
“Polri will absolutely continue to safeguard whatever aspirations our fellow workers have in fighting for workers’ rights. Don’t go soft just because the Police Chief has been made Advisory Board Chairman and then everything gets prohibited,” General Sigit said, to roaring approval from thousands of workers in attendance.
In his address, the Police Chief highlighted global dynamics affecting domestic employment. He explained that President Prabowo Subianto’s government, through the Asta Cita programme, is driving the development of 18 strategic industries through downstream processing. This initiative is expected to provide a concrete solution for creating large numbers of new jobs.
“We hope there will be a large number of new employment opportunities, giving our fellow workers the space to continue contributing as foreign exchange heroes,” he added.
However, he also stressed the importance of collaboration between employers and trade unions to create a favourable investment climate. In his view, the balance between business development and the fulfilment of workers’ rights is the key to achieving Golden Indonesia 2045.
One significant point emphasised by the Police Chief was healthcare access for the broader workers’ community. General Sigit instructed the Head of Polri’s Medical and Health Centre to ensure that all police hospitals across Indonesia provide priority access to workers using BPJS Health services.
“For our fellow workers who need BPJS services where queues elsewhere may be rather long, Polri is opening up BPJS Health service access at all police hospitals. Please make use of it, because our fellow workers are part of the extended Polri family,” he stated.
Concluding his address, which coincided with the month of Ramadan, the Police Chief extended greetings for the fasting period to all KSPSI members. He expressed hope that with the new Advisory Board comprising professionals and police officials, workers’ welfare would continue to improve sustainably.
During the event, General Sigit formally inaugurated the KSPSI Advisory Board members. The inauguration was symbolically marked by the Police Chief placing KSPSI Advisory Board jackets on the selected figures.
The inaugurated KSPSI Advisory Board members are:
- M. Arsjad Rasjid PM — Advisory Board Member for Economic Affairs
- Inspector General Cahyono Wibowo (Head of Polri’s Anti-Corruption Coordination Unit) — Advisory Board Member for Law Enforcement
- Feryadi Hartadinata — Advisory Board Member for MSMEs and Cooperatives
- Commissioner General Imam Widodo (Former Brimob Commander) — Advisory Board Member for Organisation
- Commissioner General Yuda Gustawan (Head of Intelligence and Security Agency) — Advisory Board Member for Industrial Relations Dispute Mitigation
The thanksgiving ceremony was attended by approximately 1,550 workers from various areas across West Java and surrounding regions, including Purwakarta, Jakarta, Bekasi, Tangerang, and Bandung. The event also featured religious songs performed by Opick and concluded with a communal breaking of the fast.
The Police Chief was accompanied by a number of senior Polri officials, including Head of Criminal Investigation Agency Commissioner General Syahardiantono, Head of Polri’s Medical and Health Centre Inspector General Asep Hendradiana, and Director of Certain Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Agency Brigadier General Moh Irhamni.
Also in attendance were Director General of Industrial Relations Development and Social Security for Workers at the Ministry of Manpower Indah Anggoro Putri, KSBSI President Elly Rosita Silaban, West Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan, and Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein.