What Changes Are Being Made to the Training for Cooperative Managers
The Ministry of Defence has expressed its condolences following the deaths of five prospective managers of the Red and White village/sub-district cooperatives (KDMP) during a recent basic military training (latsarmil) session.
Deputy Minister of Defence, Donny Ermawan Taufanto, stated that his agency has formed an investigation team, comprising members from both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health, to determine the exact cause of the fatalities. He also noted that measures are being taken alongside the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of respiratory issues, following an incident at Halim.
Based on preliminary investigation results, Donny suggested that the deaths may have been caused by several factors. Firstly, he cited exhaustion experienced by participants due to the sudden shift to a military-style lifestyle intended to instil discipline. He also noted that weather conditions played a role.
Furthermore, he mentioned that underlying health conditions in some participants were a suspected factor. While he acknowledged that such conditions were detected during the health assessment process, he maintained that they were within reasonable limits and not expected to be fatal. He suggested instead that the combination of significant weather changes and physical exhaustion from the lifestyle shift likely triggered the incident.
In response, the Ministry of Defence has evaluated the implementation of the training, leading to changes in both nomenclature and curriculum. Participants will no longer receive training materials regarding weaponry or military tactics. Instead, the curriculum will focus solely on materials related to nationalism, patriotism, and discipline, following a set daily schedule.
Regarding the duration of the programme, Donny stated that the training period has been reduced from one month to two weeks. He confirmed that these changes have been communicated to Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR).
The training for prospective KDMP and Red and White fishermen cooperative managers came under scrutiny after five participants—Nola Dya Sari, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, Anisa Muyassaroh, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, and Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan—were declared dead during the activities.