Ridwan Kamil Expressed How To Prevent The Cianjur Earthquake Assistance Fund From Being Misused: Must Be Photoed For Evidence

Illustration of houses damaged by the Cianjur earthquake (/ANTARA PHOTO/Wahyu Putro A/wsj)

JAKARTA - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said residents of Cianjur, West Java who received assistance after the earthquake had to take photos to prove the funds provided were correct for house renovation. This is to ensure that the first phase of assistance provided by 40 percent is properly utilized. "So from the money, only 40 percent (which is disbursed, ed) first. Then where is the evidence, whether it's an item or not, where's the photo," Ridwan told reporters at the Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta, Friday, December 9. From this photo, later the designated bank will disburse the remaining aid funds. Ridwan said this step was taken to prevent misuse of aid from the government. Moreover, there have been incidents of aid funds being used for other purposes. "Because there was an incident first, said the President, (assistance, red) it was fully disbursed, instead it became a motorcycle, not a house," he said. In addition, Ridwan also ensured that other assistance would continue to be monitored. He even said that the West Java Provincial Government had actually provided a aid distribution post to make it more recorded. It's just that, because of the enthusiasm of the residents, a lot of assistance has also been distributed directly. "We have appealed if you want help, at one gate through the regent's pavilion," he said. "However, many of these aid providers want to provide it directly. If you want it directly, we have warned that at the beginning there will be free services from the police," continued the former Mayor of Bandung. Previously, the central government provided cash assistance for earthquake victims in Cianjur Regency, West Java. In detail, Rp50 million for damaged houses, Rp25 million for moderately damaged houses, and Rp10 million for lightly damaged houses. The number of houses heavily damaged by the earthquake on Monday, November 21 reached 8,151 houses, damaged houses reached 11,210 units, and lightly damaged 18,469 units. The damage was also experienced by 525 schools, 269 places of worship, 14 health facilities, and 17 office buildings.