Teddy receives rapturous welcome from workers; Prabowo jokes: I'm the President, not him

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto joked when Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya received rapturous cheers from workers during the peak of International Labour Day commemorations at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday.

Based on ANTARA’s observations from the live YouTube broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat, President Prabowo initially mentioned the lineup of state officials present at the event.

When mentioning Teddy’s position, thousands of workers immediately cheered loudly, especially female workers.

Prabowo paused briefly, then commented on the workers’ response, which had already erupted even before Teddy’s name was mentioned.

“I haven’t said the name yet, and you’re already shouting. All the shouting ones are the mums,” said Prabowo with a smile.

The President then quipped that he is the President, not Teddy.

“I’m the President, not him, I’m the President,” said Prabowo, which was immediately met with more cheers from the crowd of workers.

After that, Prabowo officially mentioned the name of the Republic of Indonesia’s Cabinet Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya, which was again greeted with applause and cheers from the attending workers.

On that occasion, Prabowo also greeted several other state officials present, including MPR RI Chairman Ahmad Muzani, Deputy Chairman of the DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Manpower Minister Yassierli, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, and Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin.

Also attending were Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Head of Government Communication Agency Muhammad Qodari, and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.

Prabowo also emphasised that in labour matters, there are no political party barriers because all parties must defend workers’ interests.

“For workers, there is no party; we all defend workers’ interests,” he said.

The Head of State also greeted several leaders of labour confederations, including the General Chairman of the All-Indonesian Workers’ Confederation and Minister of Environment Jumhur Hidayat, KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea, KSPI President Said Iqbal, KSBSI President Ely Rosita Silaban, and KPBI General Chairman Ilhamsyah.

Also present were the President Director of BPJS Health Prihati Pujowaskito and the President Director of BPJS Employment Saiful Hidayat, leaders of Kadin, Apindo, Hipmi, as well as leaders of state-owned and private companies.

“We’ll take attendance later. Those who don’t attend, give me the list. How about it? Agreed?” he said.

The President stated that support from workers, farmers, fishermen, and labourers was one of the factors that brought him to the presidency.

Therefore, he reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the interests of all Indonesians, especially those whose lives are still difficult.

“That is my duty, that is the duty of the government I lead.

And that is our resolve. We will not falter, we will not give up, we will not hesitate to defend the interests of the Indonesian people,” he asserted.

Prabowo assessed that in the past year, the public could see that the policies of the government he leads are directed towards defending all Indonesians, particularly workers.