By: Lukman Keenan Adar)*
President Prabowo Subianto has once again made history with a very firm leadership stance while still prioritizing openness. He expressed his willingness to attend in person the celebration of International Workers’ Day or May Day 2025.
This step not only reflects the high respect for workers in Indonesia, but also serves as a very strong signal that the government under President Prabowo’s leadership places employment issues as an important priority on the national agenda.
The Head of State emphasized that laborers and workers in Indonesia are truly the backbone of the development of this nation. According to him, without real contributions from workers, the rate of national growth and stability can never be achieved comprehensively.
Therefore, President Prabowo emphasized that he did not only listen to the aspirations of the common people, especially workers from behind bureaucratic desks, but was present directly to be able to see and understand what the workers’ hearts were saying.
The presence of a president at a Labor Day celebration is a rare event in modern Indonesian history. In the past few decades, no president has taken such a step.
Therefore, President Prabowo’s decision is considered a progressive action that can bring a breath of fresh air to the relationship between the government and workers. The symbolic presence has a significant impact, showing that the state is truly present in the midst of its people’s struggle.
President Prabowo also gave a clear message that open dialogue with labor unions must be strengthened. For him, the government is not enough to just issue regulations from the meeting room, but must understand the field context directly so that every policy truly supports the welfare of the workforce. He considered the success of a country to be very dependent on the conditions of strong, prosperous, and legally protected workers.
Plans to reform the wage system and increase protection for informal workers were also important parts of Prabowo’s message. He emphasized that inclusive economic development is only possible if workers are the main subject, not just the object of development.
Prabowo’s move was enthusiastically welcomed by many labor organizations and unions. The May Day 2025 celebration in Jakarta is certain to be a historic moment, given the high enthusiasm of the protesters. Around hundreds of thousands of workers attended from various regions such as Jakarta, West Java, and Banten.
Previously, the Head of the Indonesian Police Traffic Corps, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, responded quickly to the situation by holding a coordination meeting on May 1. He directly led security preparations in the Monas area, where the celebration took place.
Inspector General Agus said that security is the main priority, especially since the President will be present directly at the event location. Handling of mass flow and VVIP routes is handled in layers to ensure there are no disturbances that could hinder the celebration.
According to him, the ranks of the Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police play a role as the main supporter of security, by strengthening critical routes and explaining the technical security in each sector. Special routes for President Prabowo and other state officials are managed separately by the Polda Metro Jaya to maintain the security of VVIP movements.
Inter-agency coordination was also tightened, considering the scale of the event was so large. The National Police deployed more than 13,000 joint personnel to secure the Monas area and its surroundings.
The successful experience in managing the 2025 Lebaran homecoming flow is used as a reference in managing traffic dynamics on Labor Day. CCTV-based monitoring technology and road safety management systems are also integrated for the smooth running of the entire agenda.
Road users have also been advised to avoid the Central Jakarta area during the celebration. Alternative routes have been prepared and will be informed in real-time through official Polri channels on social media. Drivers are advised to follow the instructions of officers to avoid congestion.
On the other hand, the President of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal, stated that the Head of State’s move was a real form of siding with workers. He considered Prabowo as the second president in Indonesian history, after Soekarno in 1965, who was present in person at the May Day commemoration. He said this was proof that President Prabowo had the courage and high commitment to the values of social justice and respect for workers’ rights.
According to Said, Prabowo’s presence cannot be seen as just a political gesture, but rather a manifestation of leadership that sides with the working people. He believes that the dialogue built between the government and workers will be much more constructive under Prabowo’s leadership.
This year’s Labor Day celebration is not only a symbol of commemorating the struggle of the working class, but also a new milestone for a healthier and more productive relationship between the state and its workforce. President Prabowo’s leadership shows that the state is able to be present in real terms, not only through policies, but also with empathy and direct presence in the field.
With an integrated security strategy, support from all elements of society, and a strong commitment from President Prabowo, May Day 2025 has the potential to be a turning point for industrial relations in Indonesia. A new beginning that shows that the Prabowo government is ready to embrace all elements of the nation for the sake of achieving equitable prosperity. (*)
)* The author is a contributor to Persada Institute
