Defense Ministry Calls for SPPI Program Evaluation, Particularly Health Aspects

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, has ordered a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the 2026 Bachelor Program for Indonesia's Development Drivers (SPPI), the Red and White Village Cooperative, and the Red and White Fishermen's Cooperative Program (SPPI KDKN PKNP). The evaluation will focus particularly on health-related aspects, including medical supervision, health profiling, adjustments to training intensity, referral systems, and early detection mechanisms for participants with health risk factors.

Head of the Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Defense, Major General TNI Ketut Gede Wetan Pastia, made the statement during a press conference at the Ministry of Defense on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Ketut stated that the program would also be made more adaptively and educationaly while paying greater attention to participants' psychological well-being through learning methods that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and a more positive and encouraging atmosphere.

He added that participants found to have special conditions following further medical examinations—including pregnancy or certain medical conditions—would receive appropriate treatment based on recommendations from healthcare professionals, with participants' health remaining the highest priority.

The evaluation follows the deaths of five participants during the national defense and managerial training program. The Ministry of Defense expressed its deepest condolences to the departed families.

Ketut also explained that all participants who experienced health problems had received immediate treatment from medical personnel at their respective training centers before being referred to hospitals for further medical care in accordance with established procedures.

He emphasized that each of the five participants had different medical characteristics and conditions. All of them received proper medical treatment at both military healthcare facilities and referral hospitals.

Before joining the program, all participants had undergone comprehensive medical examinations, including blood and urine laboratory tests, pregnancy tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms (ECG), abdominal ultrasound examinations, eye and dental examinations, posture assessments, and mental health evaluations.

The five participants who passed away were:

1. Yonanda Muhammad Taufik, from the Combat Education and Training Center, Army Education and Training Command, Baturaja, who passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
2. Anisya Musyarofah, from the Vocational Education Command, Regional Military Command VI/Mulawarman Training Center Regiment, Balikpapan, who passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
3. Novia Ramadani Sitorus, from the Air Force Education and Training Command Language Center, who passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026.
4. Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, from the 465th Airborne Commando Battalion Education Unit, Halim Perdanakusuma, who passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
5. Nola Dya Sari, from the National Defense Education Command, Kalimantan, who passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Ketut further stressed that the national defense and managerial training serve as the character-building phase of the SPPI program. It aims to instill discipline, integrity, leadership, teamwork, professionalism, nationalism, and a strong commitment to serving the community.

He underscored that the program is not intended to train military personnel. Instead, it is designed to prepare future managers of the Red and White Village Cooperatives, Urban Community Cooperatives, and Red and White Fishermen's Cooperatives by developing individuals with strong character, integrity, discipline, teamwork, and dedication to public service.

The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its commitment to continuously evaluating, improving, and refining the program to ensure that it is conducted safely, professionally, transparently, and even with the highest priority placed on the safety and well-being of all participants.