Mosque fee dispute delays burial for over an hour

SHAH ALAM - Public outrage has erupted following reports that the burial of a deceased Muslim man was delayed for over an hour after local mosque management allegedly demanded a payment of RM1,400.

The dispute went viral on social media on June 26 after a video was shared by Wan Chai, the founder of the Unit Khas Van Jenazah (UKVJ) funeral services NGO.

According to reports, the deceased's body remained inside an open grave for one hour and 20 minutes at the Ukay Perdana Cemetery while family members and volunteers pleaded to proceed.

The conflict began after the deceased’s father sought help from the Badan Kebajikan Silaturrahim (BKS) charity group.

BKS volunteers retrieved the body from Ampang Hospital, performed the ritual bathing, and led the funeral prayers free of charge.

However, when the father requested the required local council burial permit form from the mosque management, officials allegedly demanded the RM1,400 management fee.

The father refused to pay the fee, arguing that BKS had already performed 100 per cent of the religious and logistical duties voluntarily.

Hoping to bypass the dispute, the family transported the body directly to Ukay Perdana Cemetery.

The burial was temporarily halted when police intervened at the graveside following a complaint lodged by the mosque management.

The standstill was only resolved after representatives from Masjid Nurul Hidayah arrived at the cemetery to clarify the paperwork, allowing authorities to finally complete the burial.

Wan Chai confirmed he has advised both BKS and the next of kin to file official police reports so the relevant religious authorities can thoroughly investigate the incident.