Alleged New Mode of Illegal Levy on Funerals in Jakarta
The practice of illegal levies (pungli) on funeral services in Jakarta has not been completely eradicated. A new mode of illegal funeral levies is now suspected, involving unscrupulous neighbourhood unit (RT) and community unit (RW) heads.
This was revealed by the Jakarta Parks and Cemeteries Agency during a meeting with Commission D of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) at the DPRD building on Wednesday (17/6/2026). The Head of the Jakarta Parks and Cemeteries Agency, Fajar Sauri, stated that the current mode involves rogue RT and RW officials.
Initially, Commission D member from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, Nabilah Aboe Bakar, requested an evaluation of the free funeral programme implemented by the Jakarta Provincial Government. She urged a review.
“And I also request an evaluation, Mr Fajar, regarding the free funeral programme. Because it turns out that in the field, many still experience excessive illegal levies,” said Nabilah.
Nabilah asked the Parks and Cemeteries Agency not to allow this practice to continue. She stressed that the public already knows that funeral services at public cemeteries (TPU) owned by the Jakarta Provincial Government are free of charge.
“Do not let this become continuous neglect. It is a pity for the community,” she expressed.
Responding to this, Fajar admitted that illegal levy practices are still found. However, according to him, the current pattern differs from before.
“Indeed, we admit that we have been gradually curbing the illegal levies. But the pattern is different,” said Fajar.
Fajar stated that previous illegal levy practices were found to be carried out internally by TPU managers. However, this has now shifted to parties outside the TPU management.
“For our internal staff, alhamdulillah, they have started to admit it is a mistake. But another pattern is that there are illegal levies from outside the cemetery personnel,” he said.
His agency, he said, found the involvement of rogue RT and RW heads who collect fees from the heirs’ families during the burial process.
“What we encountered is the involvement of RT and RW, thus giving freedom to receive money from outside the cemetery personnel,” he revealed.
He stated that a number of cases even show that external parties are managing the burial process. This leads the public to believe that the levies come from TPU officers.
“And it has been proven that there are those managing from outside the cemetery, so the heirs think they are cemetery staff. Now, we must continue to investigate the cause,” he explained.