145 Stores In Gajahan Attacked By Illegal Levies, Mayor Gibran Gercep Returns Extortion To Merchants

Mayor of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. (Photo: Doc. City Government of Solo)

JAKARTA - The Mayor of Surakarta, Central Java, Gibran Rakabuming Raka immediately went to the community of shop owners in Gajahan Village, Pasar Kliwon District, Solo, Sunday, May 2, regarding complaints about the practice of extortion in the form of withdrawing zakat from residents.

Gibran, accompanied by the Head of Pasar Kliwon Sub-district, Ari Dwi Daryanto, visited several shops on Dr. Rajiman Street Solo Gajahan Village, Solo, to return the money according to the levy between IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per shop, then apologized to the residents being collected.

"I apologize and return the money from the collection of zakat collection to the residents of Gajahan which involved local village heads", said Gibran when meeting with the shop owner who was collected, as reported by Antara.

Gibran explained that the amount requested for this extortion in Gajahan Village, there are 145 shops with a total of IDR 11.5 million. The Camat will return all of the money directly to the residents who have been collected.

Gibran explained that asking for money to withdraw zakat collection from residents that occurred in Gajahan Village, Pasar Kliwon, Solo, which clearly should not be done, and that, violated the rules.

"The head of the Pasar Kliwon sub-district will return the money one by one to the residents or the 145 shops", said Gibran.

Gibran said that the head of the sub-district with the initial name S who was involved in signing the letter asking for the levy, starting from Monday, May 3, will be relieved of his position as head of the Gajahan sub-district. This case will be submitted to the Inspectorate and related agencies.

Talking about the collection that has become a tradition, and has been carried out since several years ago until now, Gibran explained that even though levies as traditions are not justified like this, and should not be continued.

"I ask once again all to get used to something right. Do not get used to something common but not justified by the rules. The tradition of extortion should not be tolerated, and it must not be cut like that", said Gibran emphasized.

Whether this also happens in other urban villages in Solo, said Gibran, his party has just checked. If one sub-district has been caught, usually other areas will speak out.

"Don't expect the Villages and Districts to have a mindset like that, because we public servants shouldn't be like this", said Gibran.

Although the proceeds from extortion to residents who give them sincerity, it should not be done, there are rules, the letter contains zakat, alms, and fitrah that can do the National Zakat Amil Body (BAZNAS). Moreover, the Village Head also signed it, all the more wrong.

Nevertheless, Gibran appealed to the public not to be afraid to refuse if there was extortion, even if there was the Village Head's signature or something else.

"I know that people who own shops give money as they want, but that should not be done", said Gibran.

The practice of extortion in the form of withdrawal of zakat collection from residents occurred in Gajahan Village, Pasar Kliwon, Solo, Central Java by involving local village heads with the initials S. Mode of extortion, Linmas officers brought letters signed by the village head to collect zakat collection from residents by asking for money.

According to Gibran, he received complaints from residents of Gajahan about the practice of collecting zakat by Linmas (Community Protection) who brought a letter signed by the Head of Village.