Said Iqbal Reports Alleged Worker Confinement Case in Central Jakarta to President

Presidential Special Adviser on Labour and Workers’ Welfare, Said Iqbal, has confirmed that he forwarded findings regarding the alleged confinement, chaining, and extortion of three employees in Central Jakarta directly to President Prabowo Subianto. Speaking at a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya on Friday, Said Iqbal stated that the report was sent in the form of a presidential brief. “I have met directly with one of the victims named Tegar and his family. The facts on the ground are deeply concerning. They were treated inhumanely, paraded around, confined for three days without food, and even chained,” he said. Said explained that the victim is the child of a mobile ice seller with a weak economic background. In addition to physical and psychological violence, the victims’ labour rights were massively violated. “The victim was known to be paid only Rp500,000, and did not receive overtime pay despite irregular working hours,” he stated. According to Said, the wage was far below the Jakarta Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) standard, even if the business were categorised as a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (UMKM). “If there is a suspicion of legal violations by workers, employers should pursue legal channels, not take the law into their own hands. This clearly violates the second principle of Pancasila,” stressed the President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI). “Before this case came to light, one of the victims was even extorted and handed over Rp50 million to the perpetrator,” he said. Responding to the incident, Said also expressed appreciation for the swift, professional, and humane actions of the Central Jakarta Police, supervised by Polda Metro Jaya under the direct orders of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. He emphasised that the state is present and fully responsible for the recovery of the victims, including medical treatment and psychological trauma handling facilitated by the Police Medical and Health Division. “In addition, the Office of the Presidential Special Adviser is currently assisting in processing the victims’ civil registration documents and the BPJS Kesehatan coverage that had been lost,” he added. Said Iqbal also confirmed he will send a second presidential brief to report on the progress of the investigation to the Palace. He urged law enforcement to take firm action against the perpetrators without compromise to uphold the dignity of workers. “President Prabowo always instructs us to protect the common people and not to hurt their hearts. There is no bargaining; the law must be enforced as fairly as possible,” he said.