SPPI KNMP Participant Dies During Basic Military Training, Defence Ministry Evaluates Health Supervision

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that one participant of the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangun Indonesia (SPPI) KNMP 2026 programme, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, died while attending basic military training at the Satdik Pusbahasa Kodiklatau in Jakarta. Novia was pronounced dead on Tuesday (23/6) after receiving medical treatment for a health disorder. “It is true, the Ministry of Defence has received a report regarding the death of one of the SPPI KNMP Programme participants for 2026, named Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, who was undergoing education at Satdik Pusbahasa Kodiklatau Jakarta. The Ministry of Defence expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” said Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Rico stated that Novia experienced a health disorder during the basic military training on Monday (22/6). As her condition deteriorated, Novia was rushed to the Air Force Hospital Dr Esnawan Antariksa for medical care. Despite receiving intensive treatment, Novia’s condition reportedly continued to decline until she was finally pronounced dead on Tuesday (23/6). “Based on the results of the medical examination, the health disorder experienced was related to Tuberculosis (TB),” Rico said. According to Rico, all basic military training participants, including Novia, had undergone health tests to ensure physical readiness before attending the education. The Ministry of Defence also stated that medical treatment had been carried out according to standards for participants who fell ill during the education period. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that an evaluation of the basic military training education system is still being conducted for the safety and security of participants. “Currently, the Ministry of Defence, together with the National Selection Committee and education providers, continues to evaluate and strengthen health supervision of participants to ensure that the safety and health of participants remain the top priority in the implementation of the programme,” Rico explained. The death of Novia adds to the list of SPPI participants who have died while attending basic military training. Previously, two participants of the SPPI Programme, who were being prepared to become managers of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives and Merah Putih Fishermen’s Villages, also died. The two participants were Anisa Muyassaroh and Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq. Rico explained that Anisa died from heat stroke while attending education at Satdik Dodikjur Rindam VI/Mulawarman in Balikpapan. Meanwhile, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq died while attending education at Satdik Pusat Latihan Tempur Kodiklatad Baturaja. He reportedly experienced a decline in physical condition on 17 June 2026 and was referred to a hospital for medical treatment. “Based on medical information, the person concerned was pronounced dead due to cardiac arrest,” Rico said.