SIDOARJO — 1993 · Unsolved Case
The Murder of Labour Activist Marsinah
Marsinah, a watch factory worker in Porong, East Java, was a spokesperson for workers who struck in May 1993 for a minimum wage increase. After the local military command summoned striking workers and forced them to resign, she went to demand an explanation and disappeared on 5 May; her body was found far from the factory on 8 May 1993. Nine civilians detained by military intelligence were tried and convicted, but the Supreme Court freed them all after finding their confessions had been coerced. The real perpetrators were never prosecuted. The case became a symbol of labour repression under Suharto, and Marsinah was declared a National Hero of Indonesia in November 2025.
- Date
- 1993
- Place
- East Java, Indonesia, Sidoarjo, ID
- Category
- Unsolved Case
- Case Status
- Unsolved
- Coordinates
- -7.5400, 112.7000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 3–4 May 1993Workers at the Porong watch factory struck over the minimum wage.
- 5 May 1993Marsinah disappeared after going to the military command.
- 8 May 1993Her body was found far from the factory.
- 1995The Supreme Court acquitted the defendants over coerced confessions.
- 10 November 2025Marsinah was declared a National Hero.
Sources
- ABC Indonesia — Tiga dekade kasus pembunuhan Marsinah abc.net.au ↗
- Tempo — National Hero title ceremony (Marsinah dahil) en.tempo.co ↗
- Human Rights Watch — Indonesia labour report (PDF) hrw.org ↗
- ABC News (Avustralya)
- Tempo
- Human Rights Watch
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.