Malang City Government Controls Alleged Extortion Incentives For COVID-19 Funeral Team

Malang Mayor Sutiaji/Photo VIA ANTARA

MALANG - The Malang City Government said it would continue to oversee efforts to uncover cases of alleged illegal levies and misappropriation of incentive funds that should have been received by the COVID-19 funeral team in Malang City, East Java.

Malang Mayor Sutiaji said that his party had coordinated with law enforcement officials (APH) to uncover allegations of illegal levies and misappropriation of incentive funds.

"I have coordinated with APH. In the matter of extortion, whoever violates the values of justice. The rights of others have been taken, they must be guarded and taught," said Sutiaji, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, September 8.

Regarding the alleged illegal levies and misappropriation of the COVID-19 funeral team's incentive funds, Sutiaji emphasized that the actions were entirely the responsibility of officials within the Malang City Environment Service (DLH).

It was also explained that the disbursement of the incentive budget for officers and the funeral team for the bodies of confirmed COVID-19 positive patients was regulated by the Malang City Environment Agency. The Malang City Government said it would take firm action if the allegations were proven.

"We are not playing games. This is the right of others, we will act decisively," he said.

On the other hand, he continued, the local municipal government has instructed all sub-district and village heads to collect data related to the number of funerals for COVID-19 bodies. This is because the disbursement of incentive funds for COVID-19 funeral officers must go through reports from the sub-district and village heads.

"Last night I instructed the sub-district and village heads to take an inventory of people who carried out independent burials," he said.

Previously, the local city government stated that there was an alleged embezzlement of funds for incentives for COVID-19 funeral workers. The problem is, until now there are still those who have not received incentives even though the funds have been disbursed for a certain period.

In the period May-September 2021, the disbursement of the incentive funds was delayed due to problems with the letter of responsibility (SPJ). However, for the first period before May 2021, incentive funds have been sought.

Allegations of illegal levies and misappropriation of incentive funds for the COVID-19 funeral team emerged after a report from Malang Corruption Watch (MCW) which stated that some gravediggers did not receive their full welfare rights.

In the report, it was stated that there were a number of gravediggers who only got part of their rights, and some had to receive incentive funds not in full because administrative costs had to be deducted.

In relation to the alleged illegal levies and misappropriation of incentive funds for the COVID-19 funeral team, the Malang City Resort Police (Polresta) has also conducted an investigation and deepening related to the report.