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Critics slam militaristic character training for ‘delinquents’ in West Java
More than 100 students in several regions in West Java have been sent to military barracks to undergo an intensive character training program with Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel under an initiative introduced by Governor Dedi Mulyadi.
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Students stand at attention in a military barracks on May 5, 2025, while undergoing an intensive character and discipline training at a military education center in West Bandung regency, West Java. Hundreds of students from various regions across West Java who are involved in street brawls, motorbike gangs or are addicted to online games are receiving an intensive training led by Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel for at least 14 days. (Antara/Abdan Syakura)
T
he plan introduced by West Java governor Dedi Mulyadi to send “delinquent” students to military barracks for a training program to instill discipline has prompted criticism from rights groups and lawmakers despite its popularity among the region’s residents.
Since last Friday, several local administrations in West Java, such as in Bandung city and Purwakarta regency, have started using regional military posts to provide a six-month intensive character training program to students believed to be “difficult to discipline”.
At least 80 students in Bandung and 40 others in Purwakarta had participated in the program that involved the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, with their parents signing forms of consent allowing their children to join the program for 14 days, as reported by tempo.co.
Other West Java regions started to follow suit, such as Cianjur and Sumedang regencies, which are planning the implementation of the scheme.
Read also: West Java to send 'delinquent' students to military camps
Dedi said in late April that the program would be rolled out gradually across the province, starting with regions believed to be the “most vulnerable and ready for the program”, as quoted by kompas.com.
Social media users appreciated the program, with many proclaimed parents commenting on its virtue in disciplining their children and other students.
