W. Java police to fight liquor distribution after 16 deaths

Yuli Tri Suwarni and Nana Rukmana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bandung, Cirebon   |  Wed, 10/08/2008 10:26 AM  |  Headlines

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Susno Duadji on Tuesday called on all district police chiefs in the province to combat the distribution of alcoholic drinks, following the recent deaths of 16 people at a drinking party.

Susno said he would discharge any officers found guilty of involvement in drinks distribution, or even of being a drinker.

"I will discharge the chiefs from their positions if they still let retailers distribute such beverages," Susno said on the sidelines of an Idul Fitri gathering in Bandung.

Over the past three months, police have destroyed at least two million bottles of alcoholic drinks seized in several raids at bars across West Java.

The distribution of alcoholic drinks is permitted in only a limited number of places, including star-rated hotels and licensed outlets, with high prices in place to discourage drinking.

"We cannot close legitimate beverage factories, because they have licenses. Therefore, we can only encourage people to take care of themselves and not do anything stupid," Susno said.

A recent party in Indramayu turned deadly when 16 fishermen died after drinking homemade alcohol. On Sept. 7, 21 people died, also in Indramayu, after a similar drinking fest.

The victims, from Cikedung, Losarang, Terisi and Haurgeulis districts, died after consuming a drink known locally as "vodka blending".

Cirebon Police chief Sr. Comr. Nasser Amir said he had instructed district police in Indramayu to seize all illegal and dangerous alcoholic drinks in a series of raids.

Nasser added the victims had mixed mosquito repellent with their drinks.

Dozens of victims are still being treated in four hospitals in the area.

Cultural expert Ahmad Syubhanuddin Alwy said residents of the Indramayu coastal area, especially fishermen, were long renowned for their drinking fests.

He said that initially, fishermen drank to warm themselves while sailing and fishing.

"At that time, the fishermen made their own alcoholic drinks. They mixed various traditional herbs. But now, they prefer to drink ready-made alcoholic drinks, and they consider drinking alcohol a show of strength," Ahmad said.

He added that in the past, coastal residents showed off their strength through martial arts. Now they show it by drinking as much alcohol as they can, he said.

"It's so silly. But they do it," Ahmad said, adding that limited knowledge, a low education level and poverty were the main factors behind this.

The latest fatalities in Indramayu have grabbed the attention of the local branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council, which is demanding the police put a halt to alcohol distribution.

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