149 premises inspected after alcohol deaths

SANDAKAN: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs) inspected a total of 149 premises following the 34 deaths caused by methanol poisoning in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak.

Deputy Chief Director of Customs Malaysia (Enforcement and Compliance), Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yahya said that out of the 149 premises, only 20 cans of Volcano beer were found, while other brands including whiskeys which were believed to have also caused deaths, were not found.

“Following the incident, we have inspected 149 premises in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) but only found 20 cans of Volcano (brand) beer. Further action would be taken on this premises (in which the beer was found).

“However, we (Customs) are not the only department doing this (raids). Other enforcement agencies are doing the same. For us, we could only assist them, especially the police, in detecting these alcohol beverages as these alcohol are believed to be contraband items that are smuggled into the country to be sold,” he said.

Zulkifli also said that during the raids, instead of the brands of alcohol believed to have caused deaths, customs personnel found other illicit items including contraband cigarettes and other alcohol brands. Four companies were prosecuted for this.

He said this in a press conference held after the launching ceremony of Ops Pacak 2018 at Dataran Piazza Esplanade, here, yesterday.