Defence Ministry Revises Training Curriculum for Cooperative Managers After Five Deaths

The Ministry of Defence has revised the implementation of basic military training for prospective managers of the ‘Red and White’ village cooperatives (KDMP) after five participants died. Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto stated that the curriculum has been altered from its original purpose of preparing individuals for the reserve component to focusing exclusively on national defence education. ‘The changes also include reducing the duration of the activities,’ Donny said at the Parliament Complex on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. He explained that the military training was initially scheduled to last one month, but has now been cut to two weeks. The prospective managers of the KDMP and fishermen’s cooperatives will receive different materials depending on their future assignments. ‘The materials will be provided by the respective ministries,’ Donny stated, referring to the Ministry of Cooperatives for the village cooperative managers and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for the fishermen’s cooperative managers. Despite the curriculum changes, Donny confirmed that the training locations at respective educational units would remain unchanged. He argued that military training is essential for character building and instilling discipline in future leaders. ‘The lessons provided will focus on how they train togetherness and cooperation,’ he said. The revision follows the deaths of five KDMP trainee candidates. Nola Dya Sari died on 26 June 2026 during training at the Kalimantan National Defence Education Unit after complaining of shortness of breath and fever. On the same day, Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan died at the Para Commando Battalion 465 Education Unit in East Jakarta with similar symptoms. Novita was undergoing training at the Indonesian Air Force Language Centre. Anisa Muyassaroh died on 23 June 2026 from heat stroke while training at the Mulawarman Military Regional Command in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq was declared dead from cardiac arrest on 17 June 2026 at the Army Combat Training Centre in Baturaja, South Sumatra.