Kelantan comes to the aid of 'jenazah cartel' victims

 

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the decision was made at the state Exco meeting today. - NSTP file pic.

KOTA BARU: The state government has stepped in to assist families who fell victim to the "jenazah cartel" and forced to pay high fees for burials.

The state announced that it will give RM1,500 to each B40 family who lost their loved ones due to Covid-19 for the burial.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the decision was made at the state Exco meeting today.

"The state is concerned over families who fell victim to the 'jenazah cartel', especially those from the B40 group.

"Therefore, we decided to help them by providing special assistance to ease their burden," he said.

Ahmad said the payment would be made directly to those handing the burial process.

For the purpose, he added the state government would allocate between RM200,000 to RM300,000 this year.

Apart from that, Ahmad said all imam and bilal in the state would receive additional allowances of between RM50 and RM150 each.

It was previously reported that a "jenazah cartel" (body cartel), taking advantage of families grieving over the loss of their loved ones, has been detected in the state.

The cartel was said to be making a profit by performing Muslim burial rites for those who died from Covid-19.

The cartel charged families between RM800 and RM1,800, which was much higher than the amount set by the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK).

The group was found to have cheated families of Covid-19 patients since May and MAIK had since issued a circular to all imam in the state reminding them of existing guidelines. - NST