Police To Immediately Hold Case Of Alleged Extortion Incentives For COVID-19 Funeral In Malang

ILLUSTRATION/BETWEEN

MALANG - Malang City Police, East Java, will immediately hold a case related to cases of alleged illegal levies and misappropriation of incentive funds for the funeral team for the bodies of COVID-19 patients.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Malang City Police, Kompol Tinton Yudha Riambodo, said that shortly his party will examine several parties in the field, such as gravediggers, and members of the team who carried out the funeral.

"After that, we will carry out an analysis and deepening. After the data is collected, we will immediately conduct a trial", said Tinton, quoted by Antara, Monday, October 4.

Tinton explained that his party had also coordinated with the Malang City Government Inspectorate regarding cases of alleged extortion and misappropriation of incentive funds for the COVID-19 funeral team.

Currently, his party is still trying to complete the data related to the case, so that the legal process is still ongoing. Police have not yet been able to provide information regarding the suspect in the case.

"We still can't say that (the suspect). We are still investigating, we have to be careful because this is related to data, facts, and evidence that we have to show", he said.

The alleged case of illegal levies and misappropriation of incentives for the COVID-19 funeral team stemmed from a report by Malang Corruption Watch (MCW). In the report, it was stated that gravediggers did not get their full welfare rights.

In the report, it was stated that at Plaosan Barat Cemetery and LA Sucipto Blimbing, Malang City, one of the gravediggers reported that he had only received three payments, although the total number of grave excavations reached 11 times.

In addition, allegations of extortion were also found under the pretext of administrative requirements, wherefrom the total incentive value of  750 thousand, it was reported that IDR 100 thousand was deducted. So, officers only get an incentive of IDR 650 thousand.

The Malang City Government has also stated alleged embezzlement of incentive funds for COVID-19 funeral workers. This is because until now there are still those who have not received incentives, even though the funds have been disbursed for a certain period.

Meanwhile, for the period of May-September 2021, the disbursement of incentive funds was delayed due to the issue of the Letter of Accountability (SPJ). However, for the first period before May 2021, the incentive funds have been disbursed.