KANGAR: The Perlis government has no plans to export ketum leaves to Thailand as long as the legal framework on the matter is not resolved first.

       Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said there were legal provisions that prohibited the sale and use of the leaves.

       He said apart from that, careful planning and solutions to the abuse of ketum leaves must also be considered comprehensively before any decision for export purposes was made as it (use of the leaves) had a negative impact on society.

       "We have to solve the legal problems first because as long as this is not resolved, we cannot sell or plant ketum.

       "Whatever is to be implemented must have a legal framework that permits it," he told reporters outside the Perlis state assembly here Thursday (March 31).

       Perlis' neighbour Kedah had proposed to the Federal Government to allow the state to export ketum leaves, which have narcotic properties, to Thailand for medicinal use.

       Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid had said that if the export of ketum leaves was legalised, it would not be an offence for rubber smallholders to generate additional income by cultivating the plant. - Bernama