Controversy Over Village Cooperative Located Near Cemetery: Cigobang Village Head Responds
Social media has been abuzz with a 43-second video showing the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) building in Cigobang, located near a cemetery area in Pasaleman District, Cirebon Regency, West Java. The camera angles, which follow a path winding through graves, have fuelled narratives suggesting the cooperative building stands directly in the middle of a public burial ground.
“Oh my, what is this Cooperative? The Cooperative is in a cemetery, guys,” said a woman in the viral video recording.
Responding to the growing controversy on social media, the Village Head (Kuwara) of Cigobang, M. Abdul Zei, clarified the circulating information. He asserted that the KDMP building stands on village-owned land that is separate from the cemetery complex.
“I will clarify the issue that went viral on social media, specifically on TikTok, regarding the claim that the main access road to the Cigobang Village KDMP passes through the cemetery; that is completely incorrect. The location is not within the cemetery area,” stated Abdul Zei, as reported on Wednesday (2/9).
Not the Main Access
Abdul Zei explained that while the path through the cemetery area captured in the video is real and used by residents, it serves only as an alternative route. This narrow path is typically used by villagers and students on bicycles or motorcycles.
“That road is an alternative route for the community and schoolchildren, as it is near the school,” he said. “You can use it, but only for bicycles and motorcycles; cars cannot pass through there.”
He explained that the alternative route begins from the Cigobang Village Hall. “Actually, from the village hall, you go straight, and there is a cemetery where you turn left. That is the access road for the cemetery, not the main road to the KDMP.”
According to Abdul Zei, the primary access to the Cigobang KDMP is on the western side of the building. This route is significantly wider and serves as the operational access for the cooperative as well as a connection to the local agricultural areas.
“The actual main road is on the west side. On the western side of the KDMP, there is a large road. That is the main access to the Cigobang Village KDMP,” he added.
Village Agreement
Regarding the proximity of the building to the cemetery, the village authorities did not deny it. However, Abdul Zei emphasised that the site selection underwent official deliberation and was mutually agreed upon between the village government and the cooperative management.
“We followed the results of the village deliberation; it was a mutual agreement that the Village Government would prepare village land for the construction of the Cooperative,” he explained.
The location was deemed strategic to facilitate the mobility of the villagers. “It does not inconvenience the residents, as it is a main and alternative route, and it does not cause any difficulty. In fact, access is easy for residents when they go there,” he concluded.