Lawmaker: Temporarily Halt Red Cooperative's Military Training

A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives has demanded the government immediately suspend a military training program following the deaths of five participants. Yulius Setiarto, from the PDI-Perjuangan faction of Commission I, stated that all ongoing basic military training (latsarmil) activities should be halted to allow for a comprehensive review of the program's organizational system, prioritizing participant safety and state accountability.

Setiarto emphasized that the temporary suspension is crucial for the government to thoroughly evaluate the training system, particularly its safety protocols. He pointed to the Ministry of Defense Regulation No. 23 of 2023, which governs health examinations within the defense and military environments, suggesting that its implementation has not provided maximum protection for participants. The lawmaker argued that failing to detect and anticipate participants' medical conditions violates the principle of prudence and potentially infringes upon constitutionally guaranteed safety rights.

The program, known as Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI), aims to train prospective managers for village cooperatives and fishing communities. It commenced on June 17, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on July 31, 2026, involving 35,476 participants across various TNI education units nationwide. The recent deaths, occurring within less than two weeks, have been described as a humanitarian tragedy requiring urgent and thorough evaluation.

Details of the deceased participants reveal varied causes of death, including cardiac arrest, heat stroke, and complications from tuberculosis, with two others experiencing breathing difficulties. Setiarto highlighted that one participant had a pre-existing condition, which should have been detected during pre-training health screenings. He stressed that the Ministry of Defense bears full responsibility for the safety of all participants, regardless of whether they passed health screenings or signed waivers, asserting that state responsibility does not cease under such circumstances.