Death Toll in SPPI Basic Military Training Rises to Four

The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) has stated that the number of participants in the basic military training (latsarmil) for the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) programme who have died has now risen to four. The latest victim is Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, an SPPI KDKMP participant undergoing education at the Yon Parako 465 Training Unit. Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, expressed condolences over Rifki’s death. “The Ministry of Defence extends its deepest condolences and sorrow over the passing of the late Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, one of the participants of the 2026 SPPI KDKMP Programme who was undergoing education at the Yon Parako 465 Training Unit,” Rico said when confirmed in Jakarta on Friday. Rico explained that Rifki had experienced shortness of breath during basic military training activities on Thursday (25/6). The medical team at the Yon Parako 465 Training Unit immediately provided medical treatment. “After his health condition gradually improved, the individual concerned briefly returned to activities,” Rico stated. However, during the educational activities, Rifki’s condition deteriorated again, and he was rushed to the Air Force Hospital (RSAU) dr. Esnawan Antariksa for further treatment. “Despite various optimal medical efforts, the deceased was pronounced dead on 26 June 2026 at 00.28 WIB,” he said. According to Rico, Rifki, along with all other participants, had undergone health checks before being declared eligible to take part in the basic military training. Following the increase in the number of participants who have died, the Ministry of Defence stated it will conduct a thorough evaluation of the implementation of the SPPI KDKMP Programme to prevent similar incidents from recurring. To date, Rifki is the fourth participant to die during the basic military training for the SPPI Programme. Previously, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq died on 17 June 2026 due to cardiac arrest while attending latsarmil at the Puslatpur Kodiklatad Training Unit in Baturaja. A day later, Anisa Muyassaroh died from heat stroke while undergoing education at the Dodikjur Rindam VI/Mulawarman Training Unit in Balikpapan. Meanwhile, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang died on 23 June 2026 due to tuberculosis while attending basic military training at Kodiklatau Jakarta. The Ministry of Defence stated that the evaluation will cover all aspects of the programme’s implementation, including health procedures and educational delivery, to improve participant safety.