Sarawakian youngsters are falling prey to cheap local brews with high alcohol content that are widely available in the state.

The alcoholic beverage produced in Sibu and Kuching are only priced between RM2 (320ml) and RM4.50 (720ml). They are openly sold in supermarkets and grocery stores.

Minors can also purchase these drinks, whose alcohol content is as high as 22 percent, without much fuss and this is worrying parents. Some of the kids have been spotted buying the drinks while still clad in their school uniforms.

A check at one particular grocery store, revealed youngsters making a bee-line for the drinks. They usually pour the contents into soft-drink bottles and consume them openly.

There have been cases of fights erupting between the intoxicated youngsters and the latest casualty was Batholomew Bagol,19, who died in a fight between rival gangs on Monday.

Politicians involved

Over the years, the authorities, especially the state Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry, has been announcing about studies being carried out on the problem but none have been made public.

The facts and figures are shrouded in mystery partly because the alcohol manufacturers are believed to be none other than politicians themselves.

It is an open secret in Sarawak that several local luminaries own distilleries, a business which is sure to reap profit in a land where alcohol consumption is high.

Sometimes alcohol beverages become the 'official drink' at certain functions, especially in rural areas.

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.