Reported to Join Prabowo's Cabinet, Labour Leader Said Iqbal Speaks Out

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and Labour Party Chairman Said Iqbal has spoken out regarding news that he will join the Merah Putih Cabinet. According to Said Iqbal, the public should simply await the government’s announcement. “Let us just wait for the official announcement from the Minister of State Secretary on behalf of the president. Thank you,” he told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (5/6/2026). Previously, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi signalled Said Iqbal would enter the Merah Putih Cabinet. He stated the matter was still under discussion. “We are currently discussing it,” Prasetyo said when asked by reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex on Thursday (4/6/2026). Prasetyo was still reluctant to disclose which position the Labour Party Chairman would fill. “It is likely related to his long-standing struggle with labour and the workforce,” he said, when asked whether he would be appointed as a minister or to the National Labour Welfare Council (DKBN). During the May Day celebration at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (1/5/2025), Prabowo had previously mentioned the formation of the DKBN along with a Task Force on Termination of Employment. Although the DKBN has yet to be realised, the Termination of Employment Task Force was ratified by Presidential Decree Number 10 of 2026, announced during May Day at Monas (1/6/2026). Prasetyo also declined to reveal when Said Iqbal would be inaugurated. Furthermore, the Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party also stated that on Monday (8/6/2026), he would inaugurate Nanik S. Deyang as Head of the National Nutrition Agency, along with two Deputy Heads of the agency, Agustina Arumsari and Major General TNI Trenggono. “Regarding the inauguration, we have scheduled it for next week because we all believe that in those first few days, they should focus first on carrying out improvements within our National Nutrition Agency,” he said.