Back From COVID-19 Hospital, Ambon West Seram Regent Yasin Payapo Dies

JAKARTA - The Regent of West Seram (SBB) M. Yasin Payapo died at his private residence in the Upper Galunggung Batumerah area, Sirimau District, Ambon City, Maluku Province.

Yasin Payapo passed away on Sunday at around 12.45 WIT, after returning from the COVID-19 referral hospital.

As reported by Antara, Regent Yasin and one of his children were taken to J. Leimena Hospital for treatment. The hospital owned by the Ministry of Health was opened in May 2020 as a COVID-19 referral hospital in Maluku Province.

However, definite information has not been obtained that Regent Yasin and his son were brought to the hospital due to exposure to COVID-19.

The Director of Leimena Hospital Celestinus Eigya Munthe confirmed that Regent Yasin and one of his children had been treated at the hospital, but both later asked to be sent home at 07.00 WIT.

"Indeed, Regent Yasin and one of his children were treated at the RSUP, but then they asked to be sent home at 07.00 WIT. So they didn't die at the RSUP," he said as reported by Antara.

Acting Maluku Regional Secretary Sadli Ie also confirmed the sad news of the death of Regent Yasin Payapo. "Yes, the Regent died in his private residence. I am asking the Maluku Province COVID-19 Spokesperson, Adonia Rerung, to check for the disease that caused the regent to die," he said.

Meanwhile, the Maluku Province COVID-19 Task Force, Adonia Rerung, could not confirm that Regent Yasin had died due to exposure to the Coronavirus.

"The results of the regent's PCR test have not yet come out. They are still being examined in the laboratory. So it cannot be confirmed that he died from exposure to COVID-19 or other diseases," said Adonia.

Separately, one of the administrators of the DPD Hanura Party of Maluku Province, Edison Sarimanella, confirmed that Regent Yasin died of stomach acid disease and was taken to Leimena Hospital for treatment.

"The regent was taken to Leimena Hospital, but he asked to be sent home. We have lost a very humble leader," he said.

Yasin Payapo was inaugurated as Regent of West Seram on 22 May 2017 in pairs with Timothy Akerina as Deputy Regent for the first period of 2017-2022.

In addition, Yasin Payapo was also appointed as Chairman of the DPD Hanura Maluku Province for the 2020-2025 period.