Three Labour Confederations Maintain Support for Police Under Presidential Authority — Here's Why

Jakarta — Indonesia’s three largest labour confederations, the All-Indonesia Trade Union Confederation (KSPSI), the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI), and the Indonesian Prosperous Labour Union Confederation (KSBSI), held a public hearing (RDPU) with House of Representatives Commission III at the parliamentary building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

Present at the hearing were KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea, KSPI President Said Iqbal, and KSBSI President Elly Rosita Silaban. They were received directly by Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman.

During the session, KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea expressed the labour movement’s concerns about the situation in which the National Police (Polri) continues to face scrutiny and pressure.

“Our concern as labour leaders stems from how Polri is being cornered. We do not claim to speak on behalf of the people, even though we factually represent millions of workers. However, as a show of support, we recently held a Labour Pledge at the Proclamation Monument,” said Andi Gani.

Andi Gani outlined four points contained in the Labour Pledge.

First, support for President Prabowo Subianto’s government through to the end of his term. Second, support for keeping Polri under presidential authority as a mandate of the reform era. Third, maintaining the fit and proper test mechanism for police chief candidates within the House of Representatives. Fourth, urging the deliberation of the draft Labour Law.

According to Andi Gani, the unions’ support for Polri is also grounded in the institution’s concrete steps in defending workers’ interests.

He highlighted the establishment of a labour desk by Polri, which he described as the first of its kind in the world.

“It was Police Chief Listyo Sigit who initiated the labour desk, and this desk has successfully resolved 144 labour cases in Indonesia, with nearly 70 per cent through restorative justice. The labour desk also serves as an example of how a dedicated unit can oversee workers’ cases,” he said.

To that end, Andi Gani urged that Polri must remain under the President, as this is a reform-era mandate that cannot be undermined by a small group of people.

“I am bold enough to state this because who do that small group of people claim to represent? We, who have a membership base of millions, do not even dare to speak on behalf of the people — we only dare to speak on behalf of ourselves,” he said.