Uproar In Duri Kepa Village, West Jakarta, Borrowing Money From Residents Leads To Police Reports

JAKARTA - A resident of Cibodas Subdistrict, Tangerang City, named Sandra Komala Dewi, reported Duri Kepa Village Head Marhali to the Tangerang City Metro Police on suspicion of fraud and embezzlement of money.

In this case, Kelurahan Duri Kepa borrowed money from Sandra amounting to Rp264.5 billion and has not been returned until now. Sandra did not accept that she finally reported to the police.

When contacted, Sandra explained that initially the treasurer of Duri Kepa Village, Devi Ambarsari contacted her, claiming that her village needed money to pay the RT/RW honorarium and village debts.

Sandra initially admitted that she was surprised why government agencies borrowed money from residents. Devi replied that Duri Kepa Village's finances were in poor condition.

"I asked how come the RT funds didn't have funds. Then he said there was a minus. Because I thought this was a government agency, so I transferred the money," said Sandra on Thursday, October 28.

Then in May and June 2021, Sandra sent money to the accounts of the RT/RW, as well as the accounts of Duri Kepa Village in stages with a total of Rp264.5 million.

In the agreement, every refund paid by Duri Kepa Village will be added a fee of 10 percent of the nominal money deposited.

However, so far this debt has not been repaid. Finally, on October 25, 2021, Sandra reported Lurah Duri Kepa Marhali on suspicion of fraud and embezzlement of money (Article 378 and/or 372 of the Criminal Code).

Sandra reported Marhali because of the statement letter made by Devi on behalf of Kelurahan Duri Kepa. He has also pocketed a number of evidences, such as proof of transfers to each RT and Kelurahan and a statement from Devi.

"Actually, what I reported was not the treasurer and the lurah, but the lurah that I reported was because the highest officials there were not treasurers, right," he said.

Lurah Duri Kepa Marhali denied that he borrowed money from residents for the purpose of paying RT/RW honorariums and village debts. Marhali confirmed that the loan to Sandra was a personal loan from the Duri Kepa Village treasurer, Devi.

"That's a personal loan from the treasurer on behalf of the kelurahan. Regarding the loan letter using the kelurahan letterhead, it was done without my knowledge," said Marhali.

He also admitted that he was surprised that Devi had not come to work in the village for the past month. "Until now, he has not been present in the village, since September 3. He is at home, but every time we make an invitation, we are answered with a sick letter. Wallahualam is sick or not, but there is a doctor's letter," said Marhali.

Therefore, Marhali admitted that he was ready to be called by the police to explain the matter. Because, he denied that he received the loan money.

"I'm just waiting to be called to make it clear. I'm ready to cooperate," he said.

VOI tried to contact Devi as the village treasurer to ask for an explanation regarding the loan. However, until now Devi could not be contacted.