KUALA LUMPUR: Cheap hard liquor is among the favourite drinks of Nepalese nationals because of its low alcoholic content.
According to a Nepali, Balikar Lador, 34, however, he has never heard of any individuals who consumed hard liquor to have suffered from poisoning or died such as the recent incident of alcohol poisoning.
“Many Nepalese buy cheap liquor which cost RM7.50 but there has never been any cases of poisoning that caused death such as this.
“I am surprised because I think the alcoholic content is quite low, unlikely to be fatal, so the alcoholic drinks may have been contaminated,” he told reporters at the Sungai Buloh Hospital here yesterday.
Balikar and his compatriot, Santos Basnet, 30, were in the hospital to search for their friend, Bhesh Kumar Karki, who is believed to have died from methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks, at several hospitals since yesterday morning.
Santos said he was informed by his friend’s family in Nepal that Bhesh Kumar could not be contacted and suspected that the victim could be among those who had died from the alcohol poisoning.
“They (victim’s family) sent a message informing that my friend, Bhesh Kumar is among those affected by the alcohol poisoning, at about 8am (yesterday).
“After hearing the news, I went straight to the hospital to search for my friend, whether he is still being treated or dead,” he said when met at the hospital.
So far, the Health Ministry has confirmed 19 men have died, 14 still in critical condition and nine warded for treatment and observation due to methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama