Prabowo Jokes with Workers: 'I'm the President, Not Teddy'

President Prabowo Subianto injected a moment of lightheartedness into the May Day 2026 celebrations at Monas, Jakarta, playfully asserting his presidential status to a cheering crowd. Amidst addressing labor unions, he humorously declared, "I am the president, not him," referring to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, drawing enthusiastic cheers.

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Eh, gue presidennya, bukan dia. Gue presidennya

This year's May Day saw a split in observances. While the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI) held a celebratory event at Monas featuring President Prabowo, complete with gifts like t-shirts and umbrellas designed by the President himself, other labor groups opted for a more traditional demonstration.

The Aliansi Gerakan Buruh Bersama Rakyat (Gebrak), comprising several unions and civil society organizations, marched to the Parliament building to voice their demands. This divergence highlights the ongoing dialogue and differing approaches within Indonesia's labor movement regarding engagement with the government and the methods for advocating worker rights.

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Ada kaitannya dengan ojek online, ratifikasi ILO, dan kebijakan kesejahteraan buruh

While the President's presence and playful remarks aimed to foster a sense of connection with the labor force, the separate demonstrations underscore the persistent issues and demands that continue to be central to labor advocacy in Indonesia. The focus remains on critical issues such as online motorcycle taxi regulations, ILO ratification, and broader worker welfare policies, as indicated by KSPSI.

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Kami mengusung tema May Day bersama Rakyat