Three Die in Military Basic Training, Palace Promises Evaluation

The government has responded to the deaths of three participants in a military basic training programme (Latsarmil) for prospective managers of the Village Cooperative (Kopdes) and Merah Putih Fishermen’s Village scheme. The palace has confirmed the programme will be evaluated and stressed that managerial competency training will still be delivered after the military phase is completed.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the basic military training is merely one stage of the overall process. He assured that participants will subsequently receive education focused on cooperative management. “That is part of the training process. Later, regarding competence, there will still be training,” Prasetyo Hadi said at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Friday (26/6). He emphasised that the government would not neglect improving the capacity of the prospective managers. “Of course, it’s impossible for us as the government not to conduct competency education,” he added.

Prasetyo also expressed his deepest condolences over the incident. He pledged that the government would make improvements to ensure similar programmes run better in the future. “First of all, we express our deep concern and condolences. But let us continue to make improvements,” he said.

Previously, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the news of the three participants’ deaths during the training process. Commander of the SPPI KDKMP and KNMP Training Battalion at the 1st Marine Infantry Brigade, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Agus Mutaqin, explained that the education programme consists of two stages. The first stage is 30 days of basic military training aimed at building discipline, cohesiveness, and solidarity. The material provided includes drill regulations, physical development, and shooting practice. “So, they have military basics that can serve as provisions for their next assignment,” Agus said on Thursday (25/6). Afterwards, participants will proceed to the second stage, which is 15 days of managerial training. “Material from the Agriculture Service or the Ministry of Cooperatives will accommodate them for two weeks. There is managerial material that will be provided by civilian speakers who are indeed qualified and have capability,” Agus explained.