Tito Karnavian Clarifies Cremation for COVID-19 Victims

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian clarified his recent statement published by the mass media on the handling of the bodies of COVID-19 victims in a webinar of the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), which stirred public misunderstanding.

“In this opportunity, I’d like to clarify the news that I think was cut during the FKUB webinar on Wednesday, July 22,” said Tito after Friday prayers at Ambon's Taya Al Fatah Mosque, Friday, July 24.

Tito recalled that during the discussion he explained about the handling of dead bodies exposed to the novel coronavirus. “I said that the bodies of COVID victims, in theory, should be burned to kill the virus. But that does not necessarily in line with certain religious faiths or beliefs, like for me, as I am a Muslim,” he said.

Therefore, Tito argued that the bodies must be wrapped with plastic tightly and buried in dry areas to keep the virus from attacking others and contaminating waters.

Tito said some media outlets cut his statement and even added words beyond what he said that victims’ bodies must be cremated. “I never said so. I said a lot during the discussion on the handling of victims’ bodies.”

The minister demanded the polemic be terminated so it would not cause further misunderstanding in society. Because, he added, the handling was based on the health protocols and religious faiths.

Tito Karnavian also reminded the media not to cut any statement so as not to lose its context. “People would then just see the pieces and thought that I ordered cremation. I think people who joined the webinar comprehended my words if they read the whole context,” he said.

Read: Tito Karnavian Mentions Cremation for COVID-19 Victims

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