Government will put a stop to 'body cartel'

 

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said his department would continue to hold discussions with state religious authorities on the issue. -NSTP/SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH

KOTA BARU: The government will make sure no individual in Kelantan continues to impose high charges to families who have lost their loved ones due to Covid-19.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said his department would continue to hold discussions with state religious authorities on the issue.

"I have not received details on the cost of managing the remains of Covid-19 patients but the recent issue on high charges imposed for 'tayammum ' (dry purification) reported to have occurred in Kelantan were really high and unreasonable.

"As far as we know, the hospital does not manage tayammum for the remains of the pandemic patients.

"But certain individuals who handle the matter are alleged to have taken the opportunity to charge high fees," he said.

Ahmad Marzuk who is also Pengkalan Chepa MP told this to reporters after presenting food baskets from Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) at SK Pulau Gajah here today.

Also present at the function was Kelantan Yapeim manager Nik Mohd Nurul Ihsan Salleh.

Ahmad Marzuk said cost for managing remains was normally between RM300 to RM500 but if the remains were high risk such as HIV and Covid-19 patients, there would be a reasonable increase in charges.

He said he was informed that Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maik) has called the relevant persons to get a clear view over the issue.

"At the Federal level, the management of the remains is under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) and they do not charge the next of kin," he said.

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, charging 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