Indonesia Army Under Fire After Five Die in Indonesia Military Training, So Why Is Indonesia's Army Still Training Grocery Store Managers Like Soldiers?

Five civilians are dead in Indonesia Army Training. The Indonesia army is still pressing ahead with Indonesia military training for future cooperative managers. If this isn't military boot camp, why are people dying?

Five civilians are dead after just 10 days of Indonesia army training for future village cooperative managers. Human rights groups want the programme stopped. The Indonesia army says it will continue. The Silicon Review asks if this was never meant to be military boot camp, why are people dying before the training is even halfway over?

Indonesia's Indonesia military training programme has sparked a national controversy after five participants died during mandatory training for President Prabowo Subianto's flagship "Red and White Cooperatives" project.

The goal is ambitious. Indonesia wants to build nearly 80,000 village cooperatives to create jobs, sell subsidised essentials, and help drive 8% economic growth by 2029. But first, almost 35,000 future managers must complete 45 days of military-led training.

Why does someone preparing to run a village grocery store need military training?

The Defence Ministry says five trainees died between June 17 and June 26 from cardiac arrest, heat stroke, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Officials insist every participant passed medical checks before joining and received proper medical care. They also say the programme does not include combat drills or intense physical exercise.

That explanation has done little to calm the backlash.

"The five participants have different medical conditions and received medical treatment according to the standard procedures," said Major General Ketut Gede Wetan, head of human resource development at the ministry. 

Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission says cooperative managers need business skills, leadership, governance, and financial literacy, not military discipline. Rights groups are demanding the programme be suspended while police conduct forensic autopsies and investigate whether negligence played a role.

If the training isn't physically demanding, why are people still dying?

The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform says the programme is based on a flawed idea: that military discipline automatically creates better civilian leaders. Critics warn it blurs the line between the military and civilian government.

Despite the growing outrage, the Defence Ministry says the Indonesia military training programme will continue while health checks and safety measures are strengthened.

The government believes the programme is key to its economic future. But after five deaths in just 10 days, The Silicon Review asks is the Indonesia army building stronger civilian institutions, or quietly expanding its power far beyond the battlefield?

FAQ:

Q: Why is the Indonesia army training cooperative managers?
A: The government requires nearly 35,000 future managers of its "Red and White Cooperatives" programme to complete military-led training before taking up their roles.

Q: What is the Red and White Cooperatives programme?
A: It is President Prabowo Subianto's plan to establish around 80,000 village cooperatives to create jobs, improve access to subsidised goods, and support Indonesia's economic growth.

Q: What caused the five deaths during Indonesia military training?
A: According to the Defence Ministry, the deaths were linked to cardiac arrest, heat stroke, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Authorities say all participants had passed medical checks before training.

Q: Why are human rights groups opposing the programme?
A: They argue cooperative managers need business, leadership, and financial skills, not military training, and warn it expands the Indonesia army's role in civilian governance.

Q: Has Indonesia military training been suspended?
A: No. The Defence Ministry says the programme will continue while strengthening health checks, medical monitoring, and safety measures.

Q: How many people are taking part in Indonesia military training?
A: Nearly 35,000 prospective village cooperative managers are required to complete the 45-day programme.