This Is Grandma Sumirah Who Went Viral And Made The Mayor Of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi Furious To His Subordinates

Sumirah's grandmother who never received assistance from the Surabaya City Government (AM Sby/VOI)

SURABAYA - Grandmother Sumirah, a resident of Simo Jawar 1, Sukamanunggal District, Surabaya City, suddenly went viral on social media.

The 89-year-old grandmother never received the attention of the Surabaya City Government, even long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Starting from Corona even before Corona, I never received any help, son. I swear to God, son, never", said Sumirah, when met at her home, Thursday, August 26.

Sumirah admitted that she received assistance for the last time in the era of the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). At that time she often received assistance, either in the form of groceries or cash.

"I received the last aid since Pak SBY's time. After that, until now, I have never received any more assistance", she said.

Sumirah has lived alone in a boarding house measuring 2x3 meters for 32 years. She was only accompanied by two cats after her husband died in 2006. Since then Sumirah has had to work hard to survive.

"Before, I had the opportunity to take care of small children, but now I can't stand it anymore because I'm old. Now it's just a message if someone calls", she said.

Sumirah admits that she does not charge a massage fee, or sincerely, no matter how much she receives from her customers as well as taking care of small children. Sometimes she gets an honorarium of IDR 30,000 to IDR 50,000 for a massage and babysitting.

Sumirah's grandmother who never received assistance from the Surabaya City Government (AM Sby/VOI)

Sumirah said she was sad, she had never received attention from the Surabaya City Government, whether it was in the form of necessities or cash. So far she has lived as she is, occasionally getting the mercy of the neighbors around her.

Even to pay the rent for the boarding house, she admits that she occasionally sells snacks, such as chips and instant noodles. She admitted that she did not have enough money to buy food.

"But Alhamdulillah, the results of massages and selling snacks and the help of benefactors, can make a day-to-day meal and pay a cost of IDR 250,000 per month", she said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, both during the PSBB and the current PPKM (Community Activity Restrictions), she bit her finger when she saw that his neighbors received assistance from the government. In fact, Sumirah has already applied, either through the RT/RW (Citizens Association), Village to the local Sub-district. But without success, and do not know the detailed reasons why she never got the help.

"Never, I've never received help. I've asked the RT/RW, they said there was no quota, they told me that", she said.

Sadly, Sumirah admits that she has never been recorded by the Village, Subdistrict, or other Surabaya City Government officials. Even though Sumirah admitted that she had submitted the required documents, such as photocopies of ID cards, family cards, to SKTM (Certificate of Incapacity). However, still not getting help.

"Have you ever asked Mr. RT, how come I haven't received any help, sir?

Sumirah then questioned, what exactly made her never get help. In fact, the required data has been submitted to the relevant parties. Starting from food, PKH, to social assistance that should have been obtained, it was nothing.

"I once said to the RT RW, 'Sir, I want to ask, am I a homeless person? Why haven't I been recorded?' Then I was asked for another ID card, but just like that, there was no news", she said.

Sumirah said she was sad when she saw neighbors and other residents queuing for help from the government. Now and then, she just stares, while pinning her gratitude for being given health. "I've never been hit by news, I saw people taking rice and money, my heart was crying, son", she said.

Eri Cahyadi Say Sorry

Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi apologized for reports that Sumirah's grandmother who lived alone in Surabaya had not been touched by aid. The city government is called Eri Cahyadi who must be held accountable.

"My city government is in the wrong", said Eri Cahyadi in a video uploaded to his Instagram account, Thursday, August 26.

He ordered the entire Civil Servant of Surabaya City Government to come down to reach the entire community.

"Please come down, look, don't ever start today again in the Surabaya City Government there are poor people, Surabaya city government officials don't know. That's why it rotates, it's surrounded by the area", said Eri Cahyadi firmly.

"I am sorry. Grandma Sumirah is already under the handling of the Surabaya City Government", he added.

In a virtual briefing, Wednesday, August 25, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi asked his staff in the Surabaya City Government, East Java, to be active in the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.