12 People Become Suspects Related To The Repatriation Of The Body Of COVID-19 In Makassar

JAKARTA - Forcibly repatriating the bodies of COVID-19 patients from several hospitals in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has resulted in a criminal offense. At least 12 people were made suspects for this act.

Head of Public Relations of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Kombes Ibrahim Tompo said that this forced pick-up took place at the Bhayangkara Polda South Sulawesi Hospital, Dadi Makassar Hospital, Makassar Labuang Baji Hospital, and Stella Maris Hospital, during the month of June.

He said, 12 people became suspects because they were proven to be provocateurs. This was discovered when investigators conducted an examination of the parties involved in this action.

"For the 4 crime scenes, 12 people were named as suspects," said Tompo in his statement, Thursday, June 11.

Tompo said that initially Stella Maris Hospital only had 1 suspect. However, as the investigation progressed, his party added 2 people to become suspects. So that the total becomes 3 people.

Meanwhile, at the Labuang Baji Makassar Hospital, 5 people were named as suspects. Furthermore, in Makassar Dadi Hospital there are 2 people who are suspects. Finally, the forced repatriation at the Bhayangkara Hospital Polda South Sulawesi named 2 people as suspects.

"For Stella Maris Hospital, of the 9 who were secured, seven of them were sent home and have the status of witnesses," said Tompo.

For their actions, the 12 people were subject to multiple articles. They are charged with Article 214 KUHP, 335 KUHP, 336 KUHP, and Article 93 of law number 6 of 2018 concerning health quarantine with the threat of a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

In the process of disclosing the case, said Tompo, his party also implemented health protocols by conducting rapid tests on dozens of people who were secured. However, in the medical examination, there were 5 people who were reactive.

"All were examined in a rapid test and the results were 5 reactive," said Tompo.

That way, they were immediately taken to a hotel in the Perintis Street area to undergo isolation. That way, transmission of COVID-19 can be prevented while waiting for laboratory test results.

"Everything has been taken to the hotel on Jalan Perintis to undergo isolation," said Tompo.

However, with the ongoing process of investigation and examination, the number of people who are reactive during the rapid test has increased by one person. He is a witness who is suspected of being involved in the incident at the Labuang Baji Hospital.

"Now there are 6 and they are still witnesses," said Tompo.