Defence Ministry Shortens Bela Negara Training for Village Cooperative Manager Candidates
The Ministry of Defence has announced that the training period for Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) candidates, who are prospective managers of the Merah Putih Village/Subdistrict Cooperatives (KDMP) and Merah Putih Fishermen’s Cooperatives (KNMP), has been shortened. The training duration has been reduced to two weeks.
This was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto following a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) to discuss the deaths of five prospective cooperative managers. “In terms of time, it has also been reduced. Previously, the reserve component training lasted one month; this Bela Negara training we have shortened to two weeks,” Donny stated at the parliamentary complex in Senayan on Wednesday (1/6/2026).
The Ministry of Defence has changed the basic military training (latsarmil) into Bela Negara and managerial training. Consequently, there will be no material provided on weapons or military tactics. “They will only be given lessons related to nationalism, patriotism, and discipline. Following a daily schedule also trains their time discipline,” he explained.
After the two-week Bela Negara training, there will be an additional one-month managerial training tailored to specific needs. These SPPI candidates will receive training materials related to cooperatives. “The ones providing the materials are from the respective ministries. The Ministry of Cooperatives has prepared the modules, and likewise, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has also prepared learning modules,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence has also formed an investigative team regarding the five deaths and is awaiting the outcome of the investigation to determine whether legal proceedings will follow. “We have also provided compensation and support for the repatriation of the bodies, funerals, as well as compensation from the Ministry of Defence. We are also assisting with the processing of compensation claims from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, which is still in progress,” he added.