State Secretary: Said Iqbal's Position in Cabinet Still Under Discussion
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government is still discussing the possibility of Labour Party President Said Iqbal joining the Red and White Cabinet. The spokesperson for President Prabowo Subianto was brief regarding the projected position for Said Iqbal within the administration.
“It is being discussed, it is being discussed,” Prasetyo said at the House of Representatives building, Jakarta, on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
On Thursday, 4 June, Prasetyo revealed that any potential position for Said Iqbal would likely relate to his track record in labour and employment issues. However, the Gerindra politician did not disclose the specific role that would be offered to the President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI).
Said Iqbal himself admitted that he has received notification from the Presidential Palace regarding the plan for his appointment to the Red and White Cabinet. He declined to disclose when or which Palace official contacted him, or which position he might hold.
“Let us just wait for the official announcement from the State Secretary on behalf of the President. It will likely involve labour issues,” Said stated when contacted on Friday, 5 June 2026.
President Prabowo previously included another labour union leader, Jumhur Hidayat, Chairman of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), in the Red and White Cabinet. Jumhur was inaugurated as the Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency during a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, 27 April 2026.
Since Prabowo assumed the presidency, both the KSPI and KSPSI have frequently celebrated International Labour Day alongside the Gerindra Party Chairman. In 2025 and 2026, both organisations, along with several other trade unions, chose to celebrate Labour Day at the National Monument (Monas) alongside the government.
Said dismissed suggestions that his potential appointment is a move to quell labour protests, asserting instead that his appointment is aimed at strengthening the struggle for workers’ welfare.