Jakarta -Deputy Minister of Social Affairs (Wamensos) Agus Jabo Priyono made a pilgrimage to the grave of the labor activist Marsinah in Nglundo Village, Sukomoro District, Ngank, East Java. This pilgrimage is in line with community suggestions that Marsina is appointed as a national hero. Agus said that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto approved the Ministry of Social Affairs and ordered to immediately execute a process to make Marsina a national hero. This is because Marsinah is considered major contributions in the struggle for workers’ rights. “To give the highest respect for the deceased’s struggle to open the democratic space, especially for workers. With the presence of Mbak Marsinah, workers can freely organize their opinions freely,” Agus said in a written statement on Saturday (11/10/2025). Browse to continue the content, this activity was carried out after the Ministry of Social Affairs worked with the Nganjuk regional government to hold a seminar titled ‘Marsinah: struggle, humanity and state recognition’ to the top one Ratu Hotel, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, Friday (10/10). This public seminar and test is one of the requirements to nominate a national hero. The process of suggesting marsinah to become a national hero began in phases of the regional level. Marsinah is a woman from Nganjuk, East Java. He was born on April 10, 1969, to Astin and Sumini. During her life, Marsinah worked as a worker at PT Catur Putra Surya (CPS), a watch factory in Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java. In this factory, he was known to be a vote in the struggle for workers’ rights and was activist for the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) of the PT CPS operating unit. This activist and factory worker during the New Order era disappeared and was found dead on May 8, 1993. His body was found in the woods in the Wilangan district, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, with signs of suspected serious torture. After almost 32 years since she departed, Marsinah’s name is now proposed as a national hero. This proposal also received direct support from Prabowo, which was transferred in Jakarta during the commemoration of the Labor Day 2025 on May 1. ‘After the president conveyed it during the May Day commemoration at Monas, the Ministry of Social Affairs coordinated with Nganjuk Regency government, including with youth in Nganjuk to prepare the process for Mbak Marsina who became a hero. Because it will eventually determine in the (president) palace whether she is a hero or not, ‘Agus explains. “But the process, the requirements must begin from the district level, provincial level, which is then proposed by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he continued. Agus said that the Ministry of Social Affairs will also form an ad hoc team, namely the Central Grade Research and Review Team (TP2GP) consisting of experts, academics, historians, practitioners and related agencies to carry out assessments and recommendations. The results of the recommendations will later be submitted to the Board of Merit and Honor Awards (GTK). “The Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to monitor it in accordance with the president’s orders until Ms. Marsina (the title of) National Hero receives,” Agus said. Agus acknowledged that he admired Marsina’s figure. Because, according to Agus, Marsina is a female figure who dares to fight for the welfare rights of workers. “Personally, I have mbak Marsina since I was a student, idol. She was a worker and at the time the political situation was not like now,” Agus said. “But he was brave. In the past, meetings like this were not possible, yes, but Mbak Marsinah rose to claim workers ‘rights,’ he continued. Agus said Marsina died as a martyr in the battle of the Indonesian population. He added that workers are struggling to claim democratization in Indonesia. For information, on this pilgrimage agenda, Agus was accompanied by the Deputy Regent of Ngank Trihandy Cahyo Saputro. (AKD/AKD)
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