Prabowo Highlights Collusion Between Authorities and Capitalists in Marsinah Case
President Prabowo Subianto stated that the murder of labor activist Marsinah involved collusion between state authorities and capitalists. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the Marsinah Museum and Rest House in Nganjuk, East Java, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, almost 33 years after the activist’s death.
While in Marsinah’s hometown, Prabowo recalled the events of her murder in 1993. “At that time, I was young, and I heard about the events in East Java, but I didn’t delve into it,” said the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party in a speech broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.
Prabowo was 41 years old when the kidnapping and murder of Marsinah occurred. That year, he served in the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) as the commander of Group 3/Sandhi Yudha of the Special Forces Command (Kopassus).
Now, decades after Marsinah’s death, Prabowo says he understands what happened. “Today, I finally realize, I finally understand. Collusion, the authorities were used by certain capitalists,” he said.
The former defense minister said that the collusion between capitalists and authorities had become a culture in Indonesia. He wants that culture to stop immediately.
Every state apparatus, Prabowo said, must live and die for the people. “All apparatus, from the highest to the lowest, must die for the people, not oppress the people,” he said.
Prabowo ordered the TNI Commander, General Agus Subiyanto, and the Chief of the Indonesian Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to ensure that no more state apparatus supports wrongdoing. Both were present at the inauguration of the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk.
“TNI Commander, National Police Chief, I don’t want to hear anymore that there are state apparatus who do not uphold the law, justice, and truth, and who support wrongdoing,” said Prabowo, who is also a retired army officer.
Marsinah was a labor activist who was murdered for fighting for workers’ rights at PT CPS Sidoarjo, East Java.
Born on April 10, 1969, in Nganjuk, East Java, she worked as a factory worker at PT Catur Surya Putra (CPS), a watch factory in Sidoarjo. Marsinah actively led actions to demand wage increases and improved working conditions.
On May 9, 1993, 24-year-old Marsinah was found dead in a forest in Dusun Jegong, Wilangan District, Nganjuk, East Java. Marsinah’s murder was a serious violation of human rights that has not been resolved to this day.
Marsinah is suspected of being murdered after being tortured and kidnapped for leading demonstrations to demand wage increases for workers at the factory where she worked.
On May 3, 1993, Marsinah led a demonstration at the factory where she worked. As a result of the demonstration, the management of PT CPS summoned 13 workers who were considered to be the leaders of the strike, with the help of military personnel.
On May 5, 1993, the 13 workers were interrogated, threatened, and forced to sign letters of resignation. Seeing that her colleagues were being intimidated, Marsinah went to the Sidoarjo Military District Command to seek information and protest. That night, Marsinah disappeared.
Marsinah is suspected of being tortured and brutally murdered. Her body was found on May 8, 1993, in a hut in the middle of the forest in Dusun Jegong, Wilangan Village, with signs of severe torture.
To this day, the masterminds and perpetrators behind the murder of the female labor activist have not been revealed. The investigation into this case was marred by allegations of fabrication and torture of several staff and executives of PT CPS to confess to the murder.
In the trial process, the defendants were found guilty at the first level, but were eventually acquitted by the Supreme Court at the cassation level due to lack of evidence.
In 2025, 32 years after her death, President Prabowo designated Marsinah as a national hero. However, the Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, said that the designation of Marsinah as a national hero was not related to the reinvestigation of the case of the murder of the labor activist.
Prasetyo said that Marsinah was awarded the title of national hero because of her services. “I think it has nothing to do with it. So today we see the services of the figures, especially the predecessors,” he said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 10, 2025.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.