Speech to Workers: Prabowo: I'm the President, Not Teddy
President Prabowo Subianto joked with the labour masses commemorating International Labour Day in the National Monument area, Jakarta. In front of the trade unions, Prabowo stated that he is the President of Indonesia, not Teddy Indra Wijaya.
The moment occurred at the beginning of Prabowo’s speech at the 2026 May Day podium. He greeted the attending officials, starting from the Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Minister of Manpower Yassierli, to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Some of the attendees shouted when Prabowo was about to mention Teddy’s name. “Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Prabowo before being interrupted by the audience’s screams.
Prabowo then stopped reading his speech and looked towards the people who were shouting. “I haven’t even said the name yet, and you’re already shouting. All the ones shouting are the mums,” he said.
The former defence minister then joked with the audience. “Hey, I’m the president, not him. I’m the president,” said Prabowo, followed by cheers from the attendees.
This year, several trade unions and labour federations in various regions held May Day commemorations on Friday, 1 May 2026. The International Labour Day commemoration in Jakarta was split into two locations: the Monas area in Central Jakarta and in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Central Jakarta.
The All-Indonesian Trade Union Confederation together with the Labour Party held May Day at Monas. However, it was not an action to convey demands; the May Day at Monas was held in the form of a celebration featuring President Prabowo Subianto.
KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea said the head of state would give a surprise to the trade unions in the 2026 May Day celebration. According to him, the surprise would be delivered directly by Prabowo when he appeared on the celebration stage.
“It has to do with online motorcycle taxis, ILO ratification, and labour welfare policies,” said Andi in a press conference at The Grand Mansion, Menteng, Jakarta on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.
President Prabowo, he said, would also give gifts to the workers in the form of T-shirts and umbrellas at the 2026 May Day celebration. According to Andi, the T-shirts were designed directly by the Chairman General of the Gerindra Party.
Several trade union organisations chose not to join the 2026 May Day celebration at Monas with the authorities. Those who refused are united in the Alliance of People’s Labour Movement or Gebrak.
This alliance consists of the Confederation of the Congress of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance (KASBI), the Indonesian Labour Struggle Federation (FPBI), the Food and Beverage Workers’ Trade Union Federation (FSBMM), and organisations from various elements of society. They will demonstrate to convey demands in front of the DPR building, Jakarta during the Labour Day commemoration on Friday afternoon, 1 May 2026.
KASBI Confederation Chairman Sunarno said there would be around 10,000 people protesting in front of the Parliament building. “We are carrying the theme May Day with the People,” he said when contacted on Thursday, 30 April 2026.
Sunarno said the action held by his group was different from that organised by KSPSI at Monas. He stated the Labour Day commemoration in front of the DPR building as an independent and autonomous action.
“The May Day celebration organised at Monas, in our view, is laden with mainstream narratives and power co-optation,” he said.