The Reason Said Iqbal Joined Prabowo's Cabinet: Fighting from Within

The President of the Labour Party and the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, has been officially inaugurated as the Special Advisor to the President for Labour and Worker Welfare. The inauguration, led directly by President Prabowo Subianto, took place at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday, 8 June 202lar.

Said explained that his reason for joining the Red and White Cabinet is his intention to fight for labour rights from within the administration. “For us, after discussing it within the KSPI and with our labour comrades, we decided that we must also fight from the inside,” Said Iqbal told journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex.

Said also noted that President Prabowo Subianto has consistently shown support for the common people, including labourers, farmers, and fishermen. This perception encouraged Said Iqbal to accept the offer to become a special presidential advisor. “I have taken the initiative to strive and exert effort to provide balance to the causes championed by the labour movement. Democratically, this will not diminish our critical stance towards labour issues. I believe that is all,” he concluded.

Previously, it was reported that President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed Said Iqbal as Special Advisor for Labour and Worker Welfare. The inauguration ceremony at the State Palace began with the singing of Indonesia Raya, followed by the reading of the Presidential Decree regarding the appointment of the officials. Said Iqbal was appointed based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) 58/P of 2026. Following the reading, President Prabowo led the oath of office, which Said Iqbal followed, pledging loyalty to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and committing to perform his duties with integrity and responsibility.