Two Participants in Kopdes Merah Putih Military Training Programme Pass Away
The Ministry of Defence has expressed its deepest condolences over the deaths of two participants in the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) programme for the Kopdes Merah Putih (Village/Subdistrict Cooperative) and Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (Fishermen’s Village) 2026 batch. Both died while undergoing basic military training at Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) educational units.
Participant Anisa Muyassaroh, who was training at the Dodikjur Satdik Rindam VI/Mulawarman in Balikpapan, experienced health problems on 18 June and received medical treatment at the unit’s health facility before being referred to hospital. Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence’s Secretariat General, stated in a written release on Tuesday (23/6) that based on medical information, the participant was declared dead due to heat stroke.
Meanwhile, participant Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, who was training at the Puslatpur Kodiklatad Satdik in Baturaja, suffered a decline in health condition on 17 June. Taufiq was treated by unit medical personnel before being referred to hospital. Rico stated that according to medical information, the participant was declared dead due to cardiac arrest.
“It should be noted that prior to joining the programme, both participants had undergone the selection process in accordance with applicable regulations, including medical examinations, and were declared to have met the requirements to participate in the training programme,” Rico said.
The Ministry of Defence, together with the TNI, has provided assistance to the families of both participants and ensured that all handling processes were carried out according to applicable procedures. Rico added that the Ministry, together with the National Selection Committee and training organisers, is currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the programme’s implementation, including health selection mechanisms, medical supervision, handling of participants with special health conditions, and communication and reporting systems.
He explained that the SPPI programme is part of the government’s effort to prepare human resources with discipline, integrity, leadership, managerial skills, and a spirit of dedication to support national development through the Kopdes Merah Putih and Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih. “Participation in this programme is carried out voluntarily in accordance with established selection mechanisms, as a form of participation in supporting national development and strengthening Indonesia’s human resource capacity,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence emphasised that the safety and health of participants are the top priority in implementing the programme. “All input, evaluations, and lessons learned from the implementation of activities will serve as the basis for future programme improvements so that it runs better, safer, more professionally, and more accountably,” he stated.