Nepal Embassy To Review Orientation Programme After Illicit Liquor Kills Its Citizens

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Nepal Embassy in Malaysia will review the current orientation programme of the country’s workers here in view of the recent deadly alcohol drinks incident that killed seven of its workers in the Klang Valley. Its Chargé d'Affaires Kumar Raj Kharel said he hoped the reviewed programme, would create awareness among Nepali workers of the danger of consuming illicit liquor and the importance of drinking responsibly. "The current programme currently focuses more on the laws and customs of Malaysia. Maybe, it is not extensive or the hours not long enough and we need to review it," he told Bernama, when met at the Nepal Constitution Day celebration at a hotel, here, Thursday night. Currently, all outbound workers need to complete up to between 10 to 11 hours of orientation programme run by licensed institutions in Nepal, before they are allowed to work in Malaysia, Kumar Raj said. "We are also spreading awareness through various means, such as weekly Facebook live and at every opportunity to remind our people to be more responsible, to respect the Malaysian local customs and traditions, and to drink responsibly," he said. According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH), as of Thursday, 21 deaths were recorded from a total of 69 cases of alcohol poisoning. Twenty-seven Nepalese were involved. Meanwhile, according to the embassy's figure, just 24 cases involving Nepalese were recorded, with seven deaths. "One of the deceased, did not have proper documentation. But from the friend who brought him to the hospital and from our record, we identified him as a Nepal citizen," he said, adding that the embassy was in contact with Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry and Home Ministry regarding the incident. According to latest official figures, there are 385,000 legal Nepalese workers here, and an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 undocumented workers. Kumar Raj said through the investigations conducted by Malaysian authorities, he hoped actions would be taken against those responsible for the incident. On Thursday, MOH director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, so far, 68 premises selling liquor were checked in which 647 bottles of alcoholic drinks of various brands, including those that did not comply with the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 were seized. According to Section 13 of the Food Act 1983, any person who prepares or sells any food that has in or upon it any substance which is poisonous, harmful or otherwise injurious to health, commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both. -- BERNAMA