November 7, 2025 | 10:33 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A wave of layoffs has marked the first year of President Prabowo Subianto's administration. According to the Ministry of Manpower, 45,426 workers were laid off as of September 2025. This figure stands in stark contrast to Prabowo's campaign promise to create 19 million jobs.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli said the layoff storm was not unique to Indonesia. "When the global economy is in this condition, the impact is the same everywhere," said Yassierli, a Ph.D. graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the United States, at his office on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
That day marked Yassierli's first year as minister. In an interview with Tempo journalists Yosea Arga Pramudita, Friski Riana, Erwan Hermawan, Sunudyantoro, and photographer Ilham Balindra, Yassierli said he remained confident Prabowo's campaign promise would be fulfilled. He believed the downstreaming of 28 key commodities and various people-centered programs would create new jobs.
During the hour-long interview, Yassierli also addressed the gratification case involving the issuance of occupational safety and health (K3) certificates that led to the arrest of former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in August 2025. He also responded to criticism of the National Apprenticeship Program, which targets 100,000 university graduates this year. The following are excerpts from the interview.
Prabowo Administration Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Human Development in Papua
12 jam lalu
Coordinating Minister Djamari stated that the Prabowo administration is committed to comprehensively strengthening human development in Indonesia.
Prabowo Praises the Resilience of the South Korean and Papuan People
17 jam lalu
Prabowo said that negotiating with South Korea was difficult. He then mentioned the resilience of the Papuan people.
Prabowo Cites Former South Korean President Park Chung-hee as His Idol
18 jam lalu
Prabowo Subianto expresses his admiration towards former President of South Korea, Park Chung-hee, for leading the country's industrialization.
Indonesia's Prabowo Calls for Welcoming Environment for Foreign Investors
18 jam lalu
According to Prabowo, foreign investment brings benefits to the public. He feels the need to maintain and make them comfortable.
CSIS Criticizes Prabowo for Lack of Participation in ASEAN Summit
1 hari lalu
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia criticizes President Prabowo Subianto's lack of participation in the ASEAN Summit.
Regent Ipuk Hails Prabowo's Vision to Extend Whoosh to Banyuwangi as Good News
1 hari lalu
Regent Ipuk stated that extending the high-speed train or Whoosh to Banyuwangi would strengthen inter-regional connectivity and boost tourism.
Double Burden Weighs on State-Owned Banks in Prabowo's Era
1 hari lalu
The government's Rp200 trillion fund placed in state-owned banks is nearly exhausted for business loans.
Key Points from Prabowo's Speech on Taking Up Whoosh High-Speed Train Debt
1 hari lalu
During the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Station yesterday, President Prabowo Subianto discussed the debt burden of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, also known as Whoosh, which has been in the public spotlight.
Former Minister Ignasius Jonan Reveals Details of His Two-Hour Meeting with Prabowo
2 hari lalu
Indonesia's former Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan revealed the details of his two-hour meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.
Perindo Supports Prabowo's Initiatives-Free Nutritious Meals to People's Schools
2 hari lalu
Angela Tanoesoedibjo, the Chair of Perindo Party, expressed her support for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's programs like free nutritious meal
