Said Iqbal Reveals Reasons for Becoming Prabowo's Special Advisor

The President of the Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, has revealed his reasons for joining the Red and White Cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. According to him, this is part of an effort to fight for workers’ rights.

Said Iqbal is scheduled to be inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto as the Special Presidential Advisor for Labour at the State Palace at 16:30 WIB. He noted that the President has demonstrated a commitment to the lower classes of society.

“After discussions within the KSPI and among our labour comrades, we decided to fight from within. In terms of our struggle platform, President Prabowo’s alignment with the common people encourages us to provide input, thereby maintaining balance,” Said stated at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday (8/6/2026).

He observed that the government receives significant input from capital owners, and therefore, his role will serve to balance this by providing proposals from the labour perspective. “Because our entrepreneur colleagues, for example—as we can see clearly through Mr Luhut (Chairman of the National Economic Council), Bahlil (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources), and Mr Airlangga (Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs)—receive a lot of input regarding capital ownership,” he said.

“I have taken the initiative and made a conscious effort to ensure that I also provide balance to the voices of our labour comrades,” he added.

Furthermore, he promised that he would not reduce his critical stance towards the government, particularly regarding labour issues. One of the key issues he intends to champion is the Labour Bill (RUU Ketenagakerjaan).