KOTA BARU – The government regularly holds discussions with state religious authorities on various issues including providing expertise to train individuals interested in learning the funeral management for Covid-19 victims at no charge.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said this is to address the issue of high funeral charges for Covid-19 victims, among others, reported to have occurred in Kelantan.
“I have not received detailed information on the cost of managing the remains of Covid-19 patients. However, as we all know, the hospital does not manage the tayamum (dry purification) process.
“There are those who are alleged to have taken advantage (of this gap) and are charging high fees,” he told reporters after handing over food aid at SK Pulau Gajah near here today.
Marzuk said previously, the cost of managing remains was between RM300 and RM500, but for HIV and Covid-19 patients, there would be a reasonable increase in charges.
“However, if the cost reaches up to thousands of ringgit just for tayamum, it is unreasonable,” he added.
The media had previously reported that the next of kin of Covid-19 patients in Kelantan claimed they were charged between RM1,300 and RM1,800 just for tayamum.
Marzuk said the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council has called up relevant parties to obtain information and set a reasonable price for the handling of the remains of Covid-19 patients.
“At the federal level, funeral management is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department, and we do not impose burdensome costs on the next-of-kin,” he said. – Bernama, August 15, 2021
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