KUALA LUMPUR: The stand of the government is clear - the export of ketum leaves is not allowed under the Poisons Act, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       He said the request made by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on ketum export was likely a "personal request".

       "It is probably a personal request that he has made but as far as the law is concerned, it is a no," he said at a press conference after launching the "Kita Demi Negara" (Us for the Nation) campaign here on Thursday (March 17).

       On Wednesday (March 16), Muhammad Sanusi said the Federal Government would stand to benefit from legalising the export of ketum leaves by imposing an export duty on the plant due to high demand from Thailand.

       Earlier, in his speech, Hamzah announced a RM20mil grant under the Malaysian Incentive Community Empowerment (MyICE) programme for 2,000 registered associations for the welfare, security, social and human rights categories under the Registrar of Societies.

       This grant, he said, will be given based on a first come, first served basis.

       At the event, Hamzah presented grants totalling RM10,000 to the 10 registered associations under MyICE.

       "Through this grant, I hope these registered associations will play a larger and more effective role in prospering the country in an inclusive and sustainable manner," he said.

       On "Kita Demi Negara", Hamzah said it is aimed at building the nation's peace and prosperity, cultivating patriotism, building unity and racial harmony, spreading awareness of the role of the Home Ministry and its agencies as well as seeking the society's cooperation.

       "In line with the campaign, we have launched Sahabat Kita Demi Negara (KDN), a volunteer membership for Malaysians aged 15 and above. We already have 500 members who will receive a Sahabat KDN passport," he said.

       KDN - Kementerian Dalam Negeri - is also the Malay acronym for the Home Ministry.

       Hamzah said they are targeting 20,000 members for the Sahabat KDN programme in the next six months among youth, university and college students, non-governmental organisations and secondary school students.

       "These Sahabat KDN can also choose to focus on certain activities apart from learning from the police how to shoot, sailing, visiting border control areas, and other activities under the ministry's agencies," he said.

       Present at the launch were the Deputy Home Minister II Datuk Jonathan Yasin, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah.