Koreans warned of deadly bootleg liquor danger in Malaysia

A bottle of liquor seized in police operations are displayed during a press conference by the Royal Malaysia Police in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 19. AFP

By Jung Min-ho

With the death toll rising from bootleg liquor poisoning in Malaysia, the Korean government has warned its citizens there to take extra care.

“Koreans who are living or traveling there should use extreme care when buying liquor,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Facebook on Sept. 22.

The statement came after dozens of people were hospitalized with methanol poisoning. The latest reports say 29 people died after drinking the contaminated alcohol.

Cheap homemade liquor has become popular among poor migrant workers in the country, which has high taxes on alcohol.

Most victims had shown early signs of methanol poisoning, such as abdominal pain, headache, nausea and blurred vision, with some developing shortness of breath, cramps and sudden unconsciousness.

Police said the victims are believed to have consumed two brands of whisky and a brand of beer. Local reports have identified the three brands as Mandalay Whisky, King Fisher Beer and Grand Royal Whisky.

Nine people have been arrested since police began investigating the cases.