Ketum leaves cannot be commercialised, exported - Kedah Assemblyman

ALOR SETAR, March 22 (Bernama) -- The proposal to commercialise and export ketum leaves for medicinal purposes can only be implemented after provisions of the laws have been tightened and a committee to control its farming has been set up.

Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh (PH-Pengkalan Kundor) said in the present situation, where ketum planting is widespread especially in Kedah with the relaxed provisions of existing laws, the idea cannot be implemented.

“But I feel the proposal of the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) to commercialise ketum is possible but firstly the laws must be tightened, all existing ketum plants should be cut down while a committee under the Health Ministry is established to oversee like the proposed hemp plantation.

“MOH can appoint certain people to prescribe, appoint agency to manage (plantation) and the plantation should be fortified with electric fencing. Under these conditions, ketum can be planted to extract the medicinal substance,” he said.

He said this when debating the motion of thanks to the address of the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the Kedah State Assembly sitting here today.

He also said the Poisons Act 1952 should be amended to control ketum with heavier penalties for abuse and addiction of ketum leaves.

On March 16, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor suggested that the federal government allowed Kedah to export ketum leaves for medicinal purposes abroad, especially to Thailand.

However, a day later, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the Home Ministry would not allow it because it was against the Poisons Act 1952 which is still in force in the country.

The Kedah State Legislative Assembly will sit again tomorrow

-- BERNAMA