Human Rights Minister Opposes Excessive Physical Training in Military-Style Programme for Cooperative Managers

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has responded to reports of the deaths of five prospective managers of the ‘Merah Putih’ village cooperative and fishing village programme during a Military Basic Training (Latsarmil) course for the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI). Minister Pigai is urging the Ministry of Defence to evaluate the Latsarmil programme. He expressed deep concern over the loss of life in an activity involving civilians but conducted in a military style. ‘I am also concerned about this incident and we offer our condolences. I suggest the education system be evaluated thoroughly,’ Pigai said on Sunday. He noted three aspects that need attention in the Latsarmil: knowledge, skills, and mentality. Pigai emphasised that mental strengthening does not have to be achieved through military-style training. ‘This third aspect does not require the imposition of a military system, but rather the qualities of discipline, responsibility, speed, precision, and honesty,’ the former commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights stated. Pigai also reminded organisers that the implementation of Latsarmil should not impose heavy physical training on all participants. ‘Excessive physical training must be avoided,’ he said. Furthermore, the Human Rights Minister supports a thorough investigation to determine the cause of death of the five participants. Pigai confirmed his ministry is ready to deploy its staff to monitor the process. ‘The five participants who died need to be professionally investigated to find the cause. I have ordered my staff to conduct monitoring in the field,’ he said.