PRIME NEWS POST

‘Indonesian labor leader warns of “character assassination” against port cooperatives and potential threat to national workers’

The INDONESIAN— Indonesian labor figure and volunteer for President Prabowo Subianto, Kanjeng Raden Haryo (KRH) HM Jusuf Rizal, SH, a man of mixed Madurese-Batak heritage, has publicly accused H. Juswandi, Chairman of the Indonesian Stevedoring Companies Association (APBMI), of distorting facts and attempting to monopolize port operations across the country.

Jusuf Rizal, who heads the Federation of Indonesian Transport Workers Unions (FSPTSI-KSPSI), rejected Juswandi’s claims that the Port Stevedoring Workers Cooperative (Koperasi TKBM) represents a monopoly.

Instead, he asserts that APBMI itself seeks to dominate the ports “to act as a dredging ship from upstream to downstream,” as he put it.

“This is nothing short of a character assassination against the Port Stevedoring Workers Cooperative,” said Jusuf Rizal, who is also Executive Chairman of KSPSI (Confederation of All Indonesian Workers Unions).
“For decades, these dockworkers have labored under the sun to feed their families and support the nation’s economy. Such unfounded accusations insult their dedication and contribution.”

When asked why he was angered, Jusuf Rizal said he saw a clear “mens rea”a malicious intent to dismantle the role and existence of the TKBM cooperatives at ports.

Allegations of Political Collusion and Foreign Labor Interests

According to Jusuf Rizal, APBMI has ambitions to control the ports “from upstream to downstream,” managing them for their own benefit with the backing of government officials.

“They want to remove local cooperative workers and possibly replace them with foreign labor, even Chinese workers,” he alleged.

“APBMI is suspected of exploiting officials at the Ministry of Transportation, including Director General Muhammad Masyhud, Director Budi Mantoro, and heads of port operational units.”

As President of LIRA (People’s Information Center NGO) and Chairman of Madas Nusantara (Indigenous Madurese Association), Jusuf Rizal warned that such moves could destabilize not only the workforce but also Indonesia’s political and economic security.

“We have hundreds of thousands of dockworkers nationwide,” he said. “If provoked by this kind of manipulation, they could take to the streets. When people’s livelihoods are threatened, they may lose patience while President Prabowo’s focus is to ensure no Indonesian loses their job.”

Defending the Legal Standing of Port Cooperatives

Responding to allegations of monopoly, Jusuf Rizal explained that Koperasi TKBM has long-standing legal legitimacy, predating APBMI.
He referred to the 1985 Joint Decree (SKB) of the Director General of Sea Transportation, the Director General of Manpower Supervision, and the Deputy Minister for Cooperatives, which formally recognized and regulated the role of port cooperatives.

Further, the Ministerial Regulation No. 6/2023 and Circular No. 7/2024 from the Ministry of Cooperatives reaffirm the protection and empowerment of cooperatives in port labor management.

“If anyone is talking about monopoly, they should first look at the law,” he said.
“The cooperatives are implementing government policy  similar to the Koperasi Merah Putih in villages. The real danger lies in APBMI’s efforts to seize control and eliminate workers’ livelihoods.”

Call for Dialogue  Not Destruction

Jusuf Rizal urged APBMI to collaborate rather than compete with port cooperatives.

“If there are concerns about worker competence, we are ready to advocate for training and skills improvement,” he said.

“But do not try to erase the cooperatives. Do not play with fire. The dockworkers are cooperative but if provoked, it could get bloody.”

He also called on officials in the Ministry of Transportation and Port Authority (KSOP) to act fairly and not serve private interests.

“We urge the Minister of Transportation and President Prabowo Subianto to pay attention to this matter,” Jusuf Rizal concluded.(PNP)

PRIME NEWS POST 

Media Representative: Prime News Post
Sources: Compiled from various reports and official statements.
Photo Credit: Google/Official documentation/Harr.S