MELAKA: The high level of methanol of between 30 and 50 times higher than permissible was the cause of deaths of 33 individuals nationwide.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the high level of methanol was believed to have been produced due to an error during the beer processing which was supposed to produce ethanol.
“To date, a total of 87 alcohol poisoning cases have been reported in four states which are Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan, Perak and Negri Sembilan.
“So far, the ministry had confirmed that 33 people died after drinking the alcohol containing methanol. There are no new cases,” he said after the launch of World Conference of Exercise Medicine (WCEM) 2018 at a hotel here.
It was reported las week that 19 individuals around Klang Valley had died after drinking bootleg beer, with 14 others in critical condition and nine put under observations.
The death toll rose as more warded victims, especially in Selangor, died. Following this, authorities had conducted raids at premises which sold the bootleg beer.
Meanwhile, at the conference, Dr Lee advised Malaysians to make exercise as part of the daily routine to control non-infectious diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as to avoid obesity.
“According to the latest data, about one-third of the adult population in this country are suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, while 50 per cent of adults are obese and overweight,” he said.
Also present at the conference were WCEM patron Raja Datuk Seri Yong Sofia Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah and WCEM chairman Prof Datuk Seri Dr Jessy Lai.
The three-day conference, which would end tomorrow, congregated 65 medical experts, exercise scientists, researchers, exercise experts, cancer experts, food experts and psychologists from 35 countries.