Since 2009, many Indonesians and tourists have died and suffered permanent brain damage and blindness from methanol poisoning in Indonesia, particularly on Bali, Lombok and the Gili islands. Some bars spike their cocktails with methanol, locally produced arak can contain methanol and sealed bottles bought in minimarts have been laced with methanol. So if an Indonesian or a tourist drinks spirits anywhere and at anytime, they are at risk and may be killed, blinded or suffer brain damage.
We call on Indonesian authorities to fully investigate this problem of methanol poisoning, put an immediate stop to the practice of spiking/producing spirits with toxic methanol and bring those people responsible to justice.
Liam Davis, Australia, drank a vodka drink at Rudy´s pub on Gili Trawangan and died.
Johan Lundin, Sweden, drank a mojito drink at Sama Sama bar on Gili Trawangan and died.
Jamie Johnston, Australia, (permanent injuries) and Roisin Burke, Ireland, (died) drank at Happy Café on Lombok and Cheznye Emmons who bought a sealed bottle of gin and died.
And many more tourists have died or received permanent injuries including Rasmuss Lindholm, Ashley King, Rachel Craig, Michael Denton plus according to news reports a large number of Indonesian citizens.
The bar owners are responsible for what is served at their bars and they need to be brought to justice. This killing of both Indonesians and tourists must stop now. The Indonesian Government is in the best position to educate people in Indonesia about the dangers of 'moonshine', properly regulate the distilling/serving process and stop methanol poisoning.
Methanol test kits should be made available at every bar and restaurant.
Something has to be done before there are more innocent deaths and before the negative media view of holidaying on Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands becomes too widespread causing a serious decline in tourism numbers and income. The time to take action must be now!
