Said Iqbal, a prominent Indonesian labor leader, is defending his appointment as a special adviser on labor affairs within Prabowo Subianto's administration. While he argues it gives workers a voice, critics worry it pulls unions away from grassroots activism.

Prabowo Subianto has brought one of Indonesia’s most prominent labour leaders into his administration, giving organised labour a voice inside the presidential palace while also fuelling concerns that the country’s unions are being pulled away from street-level activism. Said Iqbal, former president of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI), defended his appointment as special adviser on labour affairs in an exclusive interview with This Week in Asia, arguing that workers needed direct.....