House Member Calls for Military Basic Training Evaluation After Two Deaths

Jakarta - Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) TB Hasanuddin has asked the government to evaluate basic military training (latsarmil) after two participants of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) programme for the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDMP) and Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) died. Speaking at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, the defence sector legislator requested that the health of prospective participants be checked before they join the training. This is to ensure candidates are in good condition and ready to undergo the programme. “The causes were illness and heat stroke. In my opinion, it must be evaluated, especially those who want to take part in such training must have their health properly checked so they are ready to carry out physical activities even in hot conditions,” he said. According to TB Hasanuddin, the basic military training is a good programme to prepare prospective managers of KDMP and KNMP. Therefore, he sees the need for future improvements, including evaluating the material given to participants. “If it is stopped, I think the objective is good, to train them to become managers of a village cooperative. Perhaps just the material. The military aspects in a military context, shooting practice, then marching, exposure to heat, should be reduced. It would be better to provide training on cooperative management,” he stated. The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) confirmed that two participants of the SPPI KDMP and KNMP programme, Anisa Muyassaroh and Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, died while undergoing basic military training. Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry’s Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, said on Tuesday that Anisa, who was attending education at Satdik Dodikjur Rindam VI/Mulawarman in Balikpapan, was pronounced dead after suffering heat stroke. Meanwhile, Yonanda died while attending education at Satdik Puslatpur Kodiklatad in Baturaja, after experiencing a decline in physical condition on Monday and being referred to hospital. Based on a medical examination, Yonanda was declared dead due to cardiac arrest. According to Rico, all participants had undergone health checks before being deemed fit to join the training. Nevertheless, the Ministry stated it will still evaluate the education so participants can undertake the material safely and comfortably. He also assured that the Ministry will give full attention to the families of Anisa and Yonanda. “The Ministry of Defence together with the TNI have provided assistance to the families of both participants and ensured the entire handling process is carried out according to applicable procedures,” Rico said.