1,225 Liters Of Arak Destroyed, Governor Of Bali Asks Police To Take Strict Action On Sugar Arak Producers

Bali Governor Wayan Koster destroys sugar-based wine, Friday (1/4). (PHOTO of Bali Provincial Government Public Relations).

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster supports strict action against producers and sellers of arak who deliberately distributes arak made from granulated sugar or sugar wine. The circulation is said to have damaged the image of the quality of local Balinese traditional wine.

Koster made this statement during the destruction of evidence of alcoholic beverages from sugar and other evidence, at the Karangasem Police Headquarters, Bali, Friday, April 1.

Koster said, in the Bali Governor's Regulation (Pergub), Number 1, 2020 concerning the management of Balinese fermented or distillated drinks, it is the management of traditional Balinese fermented drinks.

The purpose of the enactment of the Bali Governor's Regulation Number 1/2020 is to protect traditional arak which is produced in a home industry, so that its quality can be maintained and able to develop properly.

"Balinese traditional wine has a very good taste, is well known by local and foreign people and can really improve people's welfare," he said.

Koster said that arak with raw materials from coconut trees, palm trees, and palm trees is a noble cultural heritage that has been carried out by the community for generations, especially in Karangasem.

"I am diligent in campaigning for arak, now the fans are increasing. The community response is very positive inside and outside Bali. Even guests of honor, ambassadors, ministers, I treat them with coffee without sugar filled with authentic Karangasem arak," he added.

According to him, with the spread of the name Balinese wine, it turns out to have a negative impact, namely giving rise to rogue producers who want to get double profits in a practical way. Then they produce arak using raw materials from granulated sugar along with other chemicals.

"Based on the many reports I have received, that granulated sugar wine has been shipped out of Bali on a large scale, so this action has the potential to disrupt the image of local Balinese traditional wine and threaten public health," he said.

"Regarding the taste, this sugar wine is also not good and really harms local Balinese traditional wine farmers, therefore this cannot be tolerated," continued Koster.

Koster also ordered the Satpol PP to take strict action on the production and distribution of sugar wine and the like together with the police and the community.

In addition, Koster requested that we jointly safeguard Balinese cultural heritage and not give any space to industries that intentionally damage the Balinese economy, such as this sugar wine.

"I continue to monitor that strict action is taken for controlling anyone. To the regent and deputy regent of Karangasem and their staff, I ask to jointly solve this problem. Continue to take action until the sugar wine producers run out, so that nothing grows again," he said.

Meanwhile, the Karangasem Police Chief, AKBP Ricko A. Taruna reported that in the destruction of the sugar wine, evidence was found in the form of 35 jerry cans of sugar wine ready for circulation, each containing 35 liters of sugar wine.

"So the total that was destroyed was 1,225 liters. In addition, we at the police and Satpol PP also secured 200 killograms of yeast for fermentation. In the future we will continue to take action to secure and eradicate the circulation of sugar wine in Karangasem Regency," he said.