“For any police chiefs who do not act seriously in implementing this order, we will find out who they are and replace them immediately,” said Syafruddin in Cicalengka, Bandung regency, on Thursday.

He said the police will be taking serious measures because the deaths of a number of people after drinking unsafe bootleg liquor had brought tremendous losses to society. Moreover, Muslims will soon observe Ramadhan.

(Read also: Preventing deaths from methanol poisoning)

Syafruddin asserted that the National Police would take tough measures against police officers who did not tackle the production and sale of bootleg liquor.

“We will take action against any police officer who keeps silent about oplosan vendors, let alone not investigating cases,” said Syafruddin.

As of the middle of April, 102 people in areas across Indonesia have died after consuming bootleg liquor. “The biggest number of victims were in West Java,” said Syafruddin.

In West Java, 61 people were reported to have died after consuming oplosan. Of the total, 34 died at Cicalengka Regional General Hospital, while six died at Majalaya Hospital and four others at AMC Cileunyi Hospital. Meanwhile, Bandung city reported seven deaths, with another seven in Sukabumi regency, two in Cianjur regency and another one in Ciamis regency.  

The police have named four people, including the oplosan factory owner in Cicalengka, suspects in the case. (ebf)

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