Five Die in Indonesian Military Training; Defense Ministry Continues Program

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense is proceeding with a military training program for cooperative and fishing village managers, even after five participants died within the first ten days of the course. The program, intended to bolster President Prabowo Subianto's economic initiatives and national defense, has drawn scrutiny due to the fatalities.

Major General Ketut Gede Wetan Pastia, head of the Defense Ministry's Human Resources Development Agency, emphasized the training's strategic importance. He stated that developing cooperative managers with integrity, discipline, and a "timur" (Eastern/Asian) spirit is vital for national development and defense. The current wave of training, which runs from June 17 to July 31, 2026, includes 35,476 participants.

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Because of that, the formation of cooperative managers with character, integrity, discipline, and a timur spirit is an important part of supporting national development and state defense broadly.

The deceased include Nola Dya Sari, who died on June 26 with complaints of shortness of breath and fever; Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, who also died on June 26 with similar symptoms and a history of hypertension and obesity; Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, who died on June 23 from active tuberculosis; Anisa Muyassaroh, who died on June 18 from heatstroke; and Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, who died on the first day of training, June 17, from cardiac arrest.

Following the death of a participant from tuberculosis, the ministry is tracing and isolating others who may have been exposed. Ketut confirmed that some individuals showed signs of TB infection and are receiving medical attention. The ministry maintains that the training is essential for building character and integrity among future managers, aligning with national development goals.

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Until now, there has been a separation; indeed, several people have been indicated to have contracted the virus (bacteria), but their condition has been handled by medical personnel and is currently under control.