An Indonesian human rights organization is calling for a halt to military training after the deaths of five participants.

The Indonesian National Human Rights Commission has called on the government to suspend basic military training imposed on future managers of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship village cooperative program, after the deaths of five participants just ten days after the start of the training.

Launched in July 2025, the "Red and White Cooperatives" program plans to establish approximately 80,000 cooperatives across Indonesia to boost employment, support local economies, and contribute to the government's goal of 8% economic growth by 2029. These cooperatives are intended to distribute basic necessities, subsidized cooking gas, and fertilizers.

In this context, nearly 35,000 future managers have been undergoing basic military training since June 14th, consisting of 45 days organized in several regional army centers and scheduled to run until July 31st.

The Human Rights Commission, however, believes that this training is not suited to the mission of future cooperative managers.

"We recommend that the government end basic military training for future managers of cooperative and fishing village programs, as cooperatives are economic institutions focused on business management, member services and organizational governance," said Pramono Ubaid Tantowi, head of the commission.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense confirmed on Saturday that five participants died between June 17 and 26. According to authorities, the causes of death were varied: cardiac arrest, heatstroke, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Major General Ketut Gede Wetan, head of human resources development at the Ministry of Defense, assured that each participant had undergone a medical examination before admission and had been declared fit.

He also stated that the training did not include combat training or particularly intensive physical exercises.

In response to criticism, the ministry announced a comprehensive evaluation of the program. This will include improved medical monitoring, earlier screening of participants with health risks, and adjustments to the intensity of activities. The Ministry of Health will also participate in the evaluation process.

According to the Human Rights Commission, future managers should first and foremost be trained in management skills, leadership and financial knowledge.

"Basic military training does not directly contribute to the acquisition of these skills," Pramono pointed out.

The organization also called on the government to open an investigation into the five deaths and urged the police to order forensic autopsies to accurately establish the causes of death and determine whether criminal liability could be incurred.