ALOR SETAR: 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.

       “I feel the proposal of the Mentri 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 it,” said Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh (PH-Pengkalan Kundor).

       “The Health Ministry can appoint certain people to prescribe, appoint agency to manage (plantations) and the plantations 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 on Tuesday (March 22).

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

       On March 16, Muhammad Sanusi suggested for the Federal Government to allow 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.

       The Kedah State Legislative Assembly will sit again Wednesday (March 23). – Bernama