Four Kopdes Merah Putih Manager Candidates Die During Military Training

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed an increase in the number of fatalities among participants of the basic military training for the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia programme for the Kopdes Merah Putih. The total number of deceased manager candidates has now risen to four. The Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence’s Secretariat General, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the latest participant to pass away was Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan. The ministry expressed its deepest condolences over his death. “The Ministry of Defence conveys its deepest condolences and sorrow over the passing of the late Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, a participant of the 2026 SPPI KDKMP Programme who was undergoing education at the 465th Paratrooper Battalion Education Unit,” Rico said in Jakarta on Friday. Rico explained that Rifki had received medical treatment before being pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning Western Indonesia Time. He experienced shortness of breath during training activities on Thursday and was immediately treated by the health team at the 465th Paratrooper Battalion Education Unit. “After his health condition gradually improved, he was able to resume activities,” Rico said. However, during the educational activities, Rifki’s health condition deteriorated again, requiring him to be rushed to the Dr. Esnawan Antariksa Air Force Hospital for further medical treatment. “Despite optimal medical efforts, the deceased was pronounced dead on 26 June 2026 at 00.28 WIB,” Rico stated. Rico noted that Rifki and the other participants had undergone health checks before being declared fit to join the basic military training. Nevertheless, the ministry will conduct an evaluation of the entire SPPI programme implementation to ensure such incidents do not recur. Rifki is the fourth participant to die during the SPPI basic military training. The three previous participants who passed away were Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, Anisa Muyassaroh, and Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang. Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq died on 17 June 2026 from cardiac arrest during training at the Puslatpur Kodiklatad Education Unit in Baturaja. Anisa Muyassaroh died on 18 June 2026 from heat stroke during education at the Dodikjur Rindam VI/Mulawarman Education Unit in Balikpapan. Meanwhile, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang died on 23 June 2026 from tuberculosis during training at Kodiklatau Jakarta.