Indonesian Ministry of Defense Investigates Deaths in Military Training Program

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) is taking serious notice of the deaths of three participants during a military-style basic training (Latsarmil) for prospective managers of village cooperatives. The ministry has expressed deep condolences and committed to a thorough evaluation of the training methods to prevent future tragedies.

The Latsarmil program, part of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) initiative, involved 674 participants. Its stated goals were to instill integrity, loyalty, discipline, teamwork, and empathy in future managers of Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (KDMP) and Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP).

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Currently, Kemenhan, together with the National Selection Committee and all organizers, is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the program's implementation.

Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Ministry's Information Bureau, stated that Kemenhan, along with the National Selection Committee and organizers, is conducting a comprehensive review of the program's execution. "Currently, Kemenhan, together with the National Selection Committee and all organizers, is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the program's implementation," he said in a statement on Friday (June 26, 2026).

The evaluation will specifically focus on health aspects, from initial selection to medical care during the training. "Especially on the aspects of health selection, medical supervision, early detection of participants' health conditions, and handling procedures if participants experience health problems," Rico added. He emphasized that the program's core curriculum is designed to foster character, discipline, and a spirit of service, not to train soldiers.

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Especially on the aspects of health selection, medical supervision, early detection of participants' health conditions, and handling procedures if participants experience health problems.