The Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) has officially restructured the briefing program for prospective managers of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP) and Merah Putih Fishermen's Villages (KNMP). Under the latest policy, all forms of military-style physical training have been completely eliminated.
Head of the Defense Information Bureau at Kemenhan, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, emphasized that physical activities for participants are now shifted to light exercise, such as morning gymnastics and walking. This adjustment was made to ensure participants' fitness is maintained without having to undergo heavy and risky training routines.
In addition to removing physical training, Kemenhan also ensured that all military technical materials, including shooting practice and rifle squad tactics, have been officially removed from the briefing curriculum. This step was taken as part of the agency's commitment to prioritizing the safety and health of all program participants.
As a form of additional protection, Kemenhan is now implementing a stricter health monitoring system through daily monitoring and medical referral procedures for participants with specific health conditions. This approach ensures that each participant only engages in activities suited to their physical capacity.
Despite changes in technical implementation, Kemenhan ensures that the core values of the program remain preserved, namely character building, integrity, discipline, and the spirit of state defense. To maintain the psychological well-being of participants, organizers now allow mobile phone use and communication with families at designated times.
This policy comes in response to input from legislators, academics, and the broader public. Kemenhan stated it will continue conducting ongoing evaluations to ensure this community economic empowerment program runs educationally, proportionally, and within national guidelines.
