Save lives by banning the sale of illegal killer booze

I WRITE this article because nothing much is being done on the enforcement aspects on the consumption of illicit killer booze sold in some provision shops, in small towns especially.

The inverse drinking pattern of cheap liquor which claimed six lives in 2019 in Penang due to methanol poisoning cannot be taken lightly by the relevant consumer authorities.

Flashback to September 2018: 19 men died and 14 others were warded for suspected consumption of compounded hard liquor in Selangor.

This consumption of cheap liquor – which is readily available in convenience stores and small shops – is popular among the lower-income construction workers from Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh and India.

The drink is mixed with methanol; the liquor poses greater danger to one’s health. There are cases of the drinker falling by the five-footway, feeling nauseous, vomiting, and experiencing stomachache, headache and shortness of breath. In some cases, some of them even lose their eyesight after drinking this poorly fermented drink.

The harmful effects due to alcohol use were examined. They included feelings of remorse, blackout and self-inflicted injury.

Some of the brands are labelled as Mandalay Whisky, King Fisher Beer, Grand Royal Whisky, “High Class Whisky”. Other brands such as El Diablo Super Strong Brew and Martens Extra Strong are readily sold in small retail outlets.

What is the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) doing? Are they engaging with the senior citizens and construction workers, educating them and doing random checks on the sale of illegal liquor?

We have read in the newspapers over the years of the sale of this toxic bootleg, i.e. “killer booze” drink which has claimed umpteen lives in Rasah, Seremban, as well as in Perak, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

The Health Ministry must investigate the suppliers, beverage manufacturer and source of poisoning and ban the sale of this killer booze.