Defence Ministry confirms death of prospective KNMP manager during basic military training

The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) has confirmed the death of a member of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangun Indonesia (SPPI) programme, a prospective manager for the Koperasi Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP), who died while undergoing basic military training (latsarmil). “It is true, the Ministry of Defence has received a report regarding the death of one of the 2026 SPPI KNMP programme participants, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, who was attending training at the Satdik Pusbahasa Kodiklatau Jakarta. The Ministry extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” said Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry’s Secretariat General, in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday. Novia’s death adds to the list of casualties after two other participants were previously declared dead during basic military training. Due to deteriorating health, Novia was rushed to the Dr. Esnawan Antariksa Air Force Hospital to receive medical care. Despite receiving intensive medical treatment, Novia’s condition continued to decline until she was pronounced dead on Tuesday (23/6). “Based on the results of the medical examination, the health condition experienced was related to Tuberculosis (TB),” Rico said. Rico added that all basic military training participants, including Novia, had undergone health tests to ensure physical readiness before commencing the training. Nevertheless, Rico confirmed that his party would continue to evaluate the basic military training system to ensure the safety and security of participants. “Currently, the Ministry of Defence, together with the National Selection Committee and training organisers, is continuously evaluating and strengthening health supervision for participants to ensure that their safety and health remain the top priority in the programme’s implementation,” Rico explained. Previously, two SPPI programme participants being prepared to become managers of the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) and Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) died while undergoing basic military training. The two participants were named Anisa Muyassaroh and Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq. Heat stroke is an emergency condition caused by extreme heat exposure, where the body’s core temperature rises drastically to 40 degrees Celsius or more and the body’s temperature regulation system fails. Meanwhile, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq died while attending training at the Satdik Pusat Latihan Tempur (Puslatpur) Kodiklatad Baturaja. According to Rico, Yonanda experienced a decline in physical condition on 17 June 2026 and was subsequently referred to a hospital for medical treatment. “Based on medical information, the individual was pronounced dead due to cardiac arrest,” he said.