In brief
On Saturday, Nov. 7, workers rallied in Jakarta in support of President Prabowo Subianto while women marched against his administration, citing wildfires, a costly free‑meal programme, and a tax on sanitary products. The protests follow police accusations that senior officers illegally intercepted the president’s communications, a claim that has sparked a debate over legal process and political trust. Unverified claims of a leaked audio clip alleging Prabowo harassed Indonesians are being contested as a doctored snippet from a 2014 interview.
Hundreds of workers and women marched in Jakarta on Saturday, Nov. 7, amid escalating tensions over allegations that police illegally wiretapped President Prabowo Subianto.
In the workers’ rally, said Iqbal, chairperson of the Labour Party and a special adviser to the president, called for unity, urging union members to defend the former general’s presidency.
Said Iqbal said, "We can mobilise members of our organisation across every town, every factory," and that the union would be ready to maintain order if unrest arose.
Police officials have named four senior officers as suspects in the alleged interception, including a former police chief known as a loyalist of former President Joko Widodo.
The investigation is unfolding as Prabowo’s administration faces criticism for handling raging wildfires, a costly free‑meal programme for citizens, and an unpopular tax on women’s sanitary products.
Meanwhile, a separate march of women demanded stronger women’s rights and protested the president’s policies, echoing earlier student rallies that have shaken the capital.
Legal representation for one of the suspect officers stated the client would cooperate with the investigation.
Unconfirmed claim: A leaked audio clip purports to show Prabowo calling Indonesians “lackeys.” Tempo reports the clip is a manipulated excerpt from a 2014 TVOne interview and has not been verified.
Both sides have underscored the law’s role, with former President Jokowi insisting on respect for the legal process amid accusations of political tension.
The protests reflect growing public discontent and heighten scrutiny of the Jakarta administration’s environmental and economic decisions.
