Latest news with #WahyuYudhayana
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Indonesia boosts role of military in food security initiative
JAKARTA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Indonesia has set up 100 army battalions to help with agriculture projects under President Prabowo Subianto's food security initiative, an official said on Wednesday, underscoring the growing role of the military in civilian life. Since being inaugurated as president last year, Prabowo, a former special forces commander, has expanded the role of the military, including using soldiers to deliver his flagship free school meals project and to manufacture medicines for public use. The battalions, consisting of thousands of soldiers, will be installed across Indonesia to work on agriculture and health projects, especially in remote areas, Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, army spokesperson told Reuters. "Our roles are as the enablers, to fill the gap when the projects are not delivered due to certain limitations or problems," Yudhayana said. Indonesia passed a change to legislation in March that allows the military a bigger role in government, a move that has raised fears among rights groups of a return to authoritarianism. Yudhayana said the battalions would work to make idle land productive, improve irrigation systems and increase food production. Some have voiced concern that the military lacks farming expertise, but Yudhayana said the agriculture ministry would train the soldiers, equipping them with the required skills. Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said it was the first time in its democratic era that Indonesia had set up military units dedicated to agriculture and farming. Rather than enlist soldiers, the government should have improved agricultural productivity by empowering farmers, he argued. "This is a serious threat to democracy because these people will create their own structure. The military will have more roles," he said.
The Star
12-05-2025
- The Star
Thirteen dead after blast during Indonesian military ammunition disposal in West Java
JAKARTA (Reuters): Thirteen people died in a blast during a disposal of expired military ammunition in Indonesia's West Java on Monday, army officials told local media, the second incident involving expired ammunition in the country in little over a year. Nine of the victims were civilians while four were military personnel, military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi told Kompas TV, adding the military is investigating the cause of the incident. Wahyu Yudhayana, a second army spokesperson, said in a televised address the blast happened when officers were finishing their disposal of the ammunition. The investigation will include how civilians were allowed so close to the detonation site, he added. The area where the blast happened is in a field where such detonations are routinely conducted, Kristomei said. Local residents typically gather after the disposals to collect scrap materials left by the detonations, he said. The area has been cleared to ensure safety in case of further explosions, he added. Monday's blast is the second incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in little over a year. In March last year, a massive fire broke out at an Indonesian military depot storing expired ammunition near Jakarta, causing a series of explosions. (Reporting by Fransiska Nangoy Editing by Alasdair Pal) - Reuters
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- New Straits Times
13 dead after blast during Indonesian military ammunition disposal
JAKARTA: Thirteen people died in a blast during a disposal of expired military ammunition in Indonesia's West Java on Monday, army officials told local media, the second incident involving expired ammunition in the country in little over a year. Nine of the victims were civilians while four were military personnel, military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi told Kompas TV, adding the military is investigating the cause of the incident. Wahyu Yudhayana, a second army spokesperson, said in a televised address the blast happened when officers were finishing their disposal of the ammunition. The investigation will include how civilians were allowed so close to the detonation site, he added. The area where the blast happened is in a field where such detonations are routinely conducted, Kristomei said. Local residents typically gather after the disposals to collect scrap materials left by the detonations, he said. The area has been cleared to ensure safety in case of further explosions, he added. Monday's blast is the second incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in little over a year. In March last year, a massive fire broke out at an Indonesian military depot storing expired ammunition near Jakarta, causing a series of explosions.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Straits Times
13 dead after blast during Indonesian military ammunition disposal
JAKARTA – Thirteen people died in a blast during a disposal of expired military ammunition in Indonesia's West Java on May 12, army officials told local media, the second incident involving expired ammunition in Indonesia in little over a year. Nine of the victims were civilians while four were military personnel, military spokesman Major-General Kristomei Sianturi told Kompas TV, adding the military is investigating the cause of the incident. Brigadier-General Wahyu Yudhayana, a second army spokesman, said in a televised address the blast happened when officers were finishing their disposal of the ammunition. The investigation will include how civilians were allowed so close to the detonation site, he added. The area where the blast happened is in a field where such detonations are routinely conducted, Maj-Gen Kristomei said. Local residents typically gather after the disposal to collect scrap materials left by the detonations, he said. The area has been cleared to ensure safety in case of further explosions, he added. The blast is the second incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in little over a year. In March 2024, a massive fire broke out at an Indonesian military depot storing expired ammunition near Jakarta, causing a series of explosions. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Straits Times
Thirteen dead after blast during Indonesian military ammunition disposal
JAKARTA - Thirteen people died in a blast during a disposal of expired military ammunition in Indonesia's West Java on Monday, army officials told local media, the second incident involving expired ammunition in the country in little over a year. Nine of the victims were civilians while four were military personnel, military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi told Kompas TV, adding the military is investigating the cause of the incident. Wahyu Yudhayana, a second army spokesperson, said in a televised address the blast happened when officers were finishing their disposal of the ammunition. The investigation will include how civilians were allowed so close to the detonation site, he added. The area where the blast happened is in a field where such detonations are routinely conducted, Kristomei said. Local residents typically gather after the disposals to collect scrap materials left by the detonations, he said. The area has been cleared to ensure safety in case of further explosions, he added. Monday's blast is the second incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in little over a year. In March last year, a massive fire broke out at an Indonesian military depot storing expired ammunition near Jakarta, causing a series of explosions. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
