I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better. ~Plutarch
Four foreigners recently died of alcohol poisoning in Indonesia. This brings the total to 23 alcohol poisoning deaths in that country. The victims drank arak, a rice or palm wine, tainted with methanol. More than 50 foreigners and locals have become ill from arak.
Imported alcohol is expensive in Indonesia, with the government imposing taxes of up to 400 percent. Local brews have therefore become increasingly popular.
It is believed that the victims drank from the same tainted batch of arak. The police are investigating and have questioned two suspects. Alcohol has been in short supply in Indonesia after the government moved to stop illegal imports. This left just one legitimate alcohol importer who is unable to meet the demand.
Arak has been produced in small regional factories that supply local bars, shops and roadside stalls. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used in rural Indonesia as a fuel for lanterns. Just a small amount is dangerous to humans.