Even the dead can't rest in peace

JAKARTA (JP): Heirs of the dead have complained at having to pay illegal levies for renting graves, Antara reported.

A resident of Tebet, South Jakarta, Soekapjo, said on Monday that when he wanted to extend the rent of a grave in Karet Bivak cemetery, Central Jakarta, he was asked to pay Rp 100,000. While the official fee, as mentioned in the announcement board at the cemetery office, is only Rp 80,000.

Asked why he had to pay Rp 100,000, an officer just told him that was the tariff.

Soekapjo said the officer also did not provide him with a receipt.

Another resident, Nanang, said that he was asked to pay Rp 800,000 for a space in Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta, for a family member. The official price is only Rp 50,000.

Nanang said that he made the payment anyway because the deceased relative had to be buried that same day.

The maximum payment for renting a grave is Rp 100,000 for the first three years.