Recognition Of COVID-19 Grave Diggers In Malang Regarding Incentive Money Deducted

MALANG - Allegations of embezzlement of incentives for COVID-19 funeral workers in Malang City are now being investigated by the police.

There are gravediggers who claim that they have not received incentives since January 2021, which are Rp. 750 thousand per month.

The incentive money was only received 3 times in 2020, and even then, only Rp. 500 thousand was received.

"I received the incentive, yes, only 3 times in 2020. The rest can't. At that time we only got Rp. 500 thousand, of the total I had to receive was Rp. 750 thousand,” said Anggi, one of the gravediggers at the Ngujil TPU, Tuesday, September 7.

Not long after this news was circulated, the Head of the Cemetery UPT of the Malang City Environment Service (DLH), Taqruni Akbar, was transferred. Previously, he mentioned that the incentive money in May-August 2021 had not come down.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Malang, Sutiaji, said that his party is currently investigating the alleged embezzlement. He also ordered an audit.

For the delay in the disbursement of incentive funds in May-August 2021, this was due to delays in submitting the Accountability Report (LPJ). In total, the incentive that should have been received was Rp. 1.5 million. IDR 750 thousand for the gravedigger team and IDR 750 thousand for the funeral team.

"In that case (May-August) it has not been liquidated. But if it has been liquidated before, it means that if it has not been received, it means that there is embezzlement. Obviously it will have to be dealt with firmly," he said.

According to Sutiaji, the internal audit process for this allegation has been carried out. "Yes, I have asked for an internal audit. The results are not yet, they are still in process," he said.

He appealed to the grave diggers to be brave enough to report this, if there is no conformity in the payment of incentives.

"I ask you not to be afraid, if someone intimidates you later, we will protect it," he concluded.