Said Iqbal Enters Palace, National Workers' Welfare Council Scrapped

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi has explained the reason President Prabowo Subianto appointed Said Iqbal as Special Advisor on Manpower and Workers’ Welfare. According to him, this relates to a promise the President made during the 2025 May Day celebrations at Monas. At that time, Prabowo announced a plan to form the National Workers’ Welfare Council (DKBN). “Approximately one year ago at May Day 2025, there was an intention for us to form the Workers’ Welfare Council,” Prasetyo told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday. For that reason, Prasetyo continued, Prabowo decided to appoint a labour figure as an advisor in the fields of manpower and workers’ welfare. Said Iqbal, President of the KSPI and the Labour Party, was entrusted to fill this position. With Said Iqbal’s appointment, the Workers’ Welfare Council was consequently scrapped. “However, after we tried to study it, we felt that what we wanted to achieve with the workers’ council could be sought through another scheme,” he said. “Therefore, the President then decided to appoint a labour figure as his advisor in the fields of manpower and workers’ welfare,” he stated. Prasetyo also explained that, in essence, the creation of this new position would make communication with worker groups more fluid and intensive, particularly in fighting for rights amidst the current conditions. “Once again, we are jointly fighting for what our fellow workers have been hoping for, especially in the current economic climate,” he said. Separately, Said Iqbal revealed his reason for agreeing to join President Prabowo Subianto’s Merah Putih Cabinet. He said this was part of the effort to fight for workers’ rights. Said Iqbal was to be sworn in by President Prabowo Subianto as the President’s Special Advisor on Manpower at the State Palace at 4.30 p.m. WIB. Moreover, he said, the President also demonstrated his alignment with ordinary citizens. “After discussions within KSPI and with fellow workers, we decided to fight from the inside. In terms of the struggle’s platform, President Prabowo’s alignment with ordinary people encouraged us to provide input. So we maintain a balance,” Said Iqbal stated at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday.