“This morning, Saturday, May 16, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the Marsinah Museum and Shelter Home in Nganjuk District, East Java,” the president said during the inauguration ceremony, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
The inauguration was followed by the signing of the museum’s commemorative plaque.
In his remarks, President Prabowo said he was honored to inaugurate the museum dedicated to Marsinah, whom he designated a national hero last year following proposals from labor unions.
“I was honored to designate her a national hero, and later (labor leaders) suggested that I inaugurate the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk, which I gladly accepted,” he said.
The Marsinah Museum was established at Marsinah’s childhood home as a memorial to the struggle of Indonesian workers. In addition to functioning as a museum, the facility will also serve as a shelter home for workers.
Before officially inaugurating the museum, Prabowo toured the exhibition area, where historical objects related to Indonesia’s labor movement and Marsinah’s life are displayed. He noted that Marsinah’s bedroom and several personal artifacts have been preserved in their original condition.
Labor activist Marsinah, who was born in 1969, was known for advocating workers’ rights at a factory in East Java during the New Order era under former president Suharto.
Before her disappearance and murder on May 5, 1993, Marsinah served as a negotiator for hundreds of workers who staged strikes over alleged violations of minimum wage regulations and restrictions on labor union autonomy. Her body was found on May 8, 1993.
After years of advocacy by labor groups, Marsinah was officially named a national hero by President Prabowo on Nov. 10, 2025, alongside Suharto.
Several members of the Red and White Cabinet attended the inauguration ceremony, including Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Manpower Minister Yassierli, Migrant Workers Protection Minister Mukhtaruddin, and Environment Minister as well as labor union leader Jumhur Hidayat.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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