Who is Marsinah, whose Museum was Inaugurated by President Prabowo?
President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the Marsinah Museum and Rest House in Nglundo Village, Sukomoro District, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on Saturday morning, 16 May 2026.
The inauguration was carried out through the reading of an official statement and the signing of an inscription as a symbol of the opening of the museum dedicated to commemorating the struggle of a female labourer named Marsinah, a figure who has now been appointed as a National Hero.
One year earlier, during the 2025 National Hero Award Ceremony at the State Palace, Prabowo awarded the title to Marsinah.
Marsinah was a female labourer from Nganjuk, East Java. She worked at the PT Catur Putra Surya (CPS) watch factory in Porong, Sidoarjo.
Born on 10 April 1969, Marsinah was the second child of Astin and Sumini.
From a young age, she worked hard to support herself, starting by working at the SKW plastics factory in Rungkut and selling rice packets for Rp 150 to cover her living expenses.
Known for being intelligent, critical, and caring for fellow labourers, Marsinah actively voiced workers’ rights, especially regarding wages and workplace protection.
As reported by Kompas.com (10/11/2025), on 3–4 May 1993, workers at PT CPS went on strike to demand the fulfilment of their rights. Eleven out of 12 demands were granted, except for the dissolution of the SPSI Labour Union.
However, the following day, there was intervention from the 0816 Sidoarjo Military District Command, which summoned 13 workers and forced them to resign from the company.
On 5 May 1993, Marsinah and a colleague went to PT CPS to submit a letter of protest. That night, she was last seen by her colleagues.
On 8 May 1993, Marsinah’s body was found in a hut in the forest area of Jegong Village, Wilangan District, Nganjuk.
Her body was covered in wounds, a strong indication that she had been tortured before being killed. This case immediately attracted public attention, including that of President Soeharto at the time.
The investigation was long and complicated. Police questioned more than 140 people in the first month.
To date, the actual perpetrator has never been revealed. The Marsinah case has become one of the dark chapters of human rights violations in Indonesia.
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