Jakarta. Indonesia will conduct a comprehensive review of a military-style training program for future managers of its nationwide village cooperative initiative after five participants died during the course, while allowing the program to continue with a revised curriculum.

Deputy State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro said President Prabowo Subianto had been briefed on the deaths and instructed the government to thoroughly evaluate the program to prevent similar incidents.

"The President is following the case," Juri told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Despite the fatalities, Juri said the training would continue because the government needs to prepare managers for the Village/Subdistrict Red and White Cooperatives (KDMP) and Red and White Fishermen's Village Cooperatives under the Defense Ministry's  Indonesian Graduate Development Pioneers (SPPI).

He said the government would incorporate public feedback into the review, while the Defense Ministry would improve the program's implementation without delaying preparations for the cooperative managers.

According to Juri, the training is intended to develop managerial skills while strengthening participants' mental resilience, discipline, leadership and understanding of national values.

"The program will continue, but it will be improved and evaluated so it becomes better," he said, adding that participant safety would remain the government's top priority.

The SPPI program, organized by the Defense Ministry, is designed to prepare managers for President Prabowo's flagship village cooperative initiative, which aims to strengthen local economies through professionally managed cooperatives across rural and coastal communities.

The training began on June 17 and was originally scheduled to run for 45 days until July 31. A total of 35,476 participants are taking part at military education facilities across Indonesia.

According to the Defense Ministry, the five participants who died were identified as Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, who suffered cardiac arrest; Anisa Muyassaroh, who died from heat stroke; Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, who died from complications related to tuberculosis; and Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan and Nola Diasari, both of whom died after experiencing respiratory distress during the training.

Separately, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani called for the program to focus primarily on managerial training rather than military-style exercises.

Speaking after a parliamentary plenary session on Tuesday, Puan expressed condolences to the families of the deceased participants and urged the government to carry out a comprehensive evaluation covering training materials, implementation methods and participant safety.

"It would be better if the program focused more on managerial capabilities so participants can later perform their duties as expected," she said.

The Defense Ministry has already announced that it is discontinuing the military-style basic training component following the fatalities.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Rico Ricardo Sirait said the program would instead emphasize civic defense education and management skills.

"The activities have been adjusted. The program is now directed toward civic defense and managerial training rather than military basic training," Rico said.

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