Defence Ministry Stresses SPPI Training Differs from Military Education

The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) has stated that the training provided to participants of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) programme, part of the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (KDMP) and Koperasi Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) initiatives, is not the same as training for soldiers. The programme has been designed in a measured way. “The implementation of this state defence and managerial training has been carefully structured, taking into account the participants’ backgrounds as civilians. This activity is not equated with military or soldier training,” said the Head of the Defence Ministry’s Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), Major General Ketut Gede Wetan, during a press conference at the Ministry of Defence office in Central Jakarta on Saturday (27/6/2026). Ketut further explained that the training for SPPI participants does not emphasise physical ability, but rather focuses on mental character and problem-solving. “The emphasis is not on physical ability, but on building mentality, character, responsibility, fighting spirit, cooperation, and problem-solving skills,” Ketut said. Ketut stated that the training focuses on state defence and instilling discipline. He noted that any physical activities conducted have been measured so as not to be burdensome. “This training or education process has stages. The first stage is instilling discipline and national building through state defence. The physical activities carried out, as has been implemented, are callisthenics, walking, marching drills, and basic field regulations. So, there have been no activities that determine strenuous physical activity,” Ketut explained. He mentioned that the training process is carried out in a gradual, tiered, and continuous manner. After the discipline and state defence training, participants are then given managerial material briefings by the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Marine Affairs. “The managerial aspect runs in parallel, namely material on the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives handled by the Ministry of Cooperatives, and managerial material for the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Cooperatives handled by the Ministry of Marine Affairs. So, this is a process that continues in a gradual and sustainable manner,” he added. Previously, the Ministry of Defence expressed its condolences over the death of SPPI programme participants. The total number of deceased participants currently stands at five. “First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, the national selection committee, and all organisers of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia programme, we express our deepest condolences on the passing of five participants of the 2026 SPPI KDKN PKNP programme who were undergoing state defence and managerial training,” said the Head of BPSDM Kemhan, Major General Ketut Gede Wetan, during a press conference on Saturday (27/6). Ketut conveyed his profound sympathies. He said the participants had received medical treatment according to procedures. “The five participants had different characteristics and conditions. All participants received medical treatment according to procedures at unit health facilities and referral hospitals,” he said.