TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police have recorded 107 cases of alleged misuse of COVID-19 social assistance programs in 21 regions.

“Until the end of August 2020, we have collected information about the misuse of the COVID-19 social aid programs throughout Indonesia,” said National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ahmad Ramadhan in Jakarta, Friday, September 4.

Ramadhan detailed 39 cases were found in North Sumatra, 19 in West Java, 7 in Riau, 7 in West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi, 5 in East Java, and 3 in East Nusa Tenggara and Banten.

Central Sulawesi, South Sumatra, North Maluku, and West Sulawesi each had two cases, and one case each was discovered in Central Kalimantan, Riau Islands, West Sumatra, North Kalimantan, Papua, West Papua, West Kalimantan, and Bengkulu.

National Police Chief Gen. Idham Azis asserted the police would take stern action against those misusing the social assistance during this pandemic. He has also established a task force under the chairman of the police’s criminal investigation unit (Kabareskrim) Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

“The police have formed a special task force under the supervision of Kabareskrim,” said Idham Azis. He reminded all parties to not misuse the relaxation policy on COVID-19 social aid.

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ANDITA RAHMA