Proposal to ban ketum planting to be tabled to cabinet for decision – Muhyiddin
PUTRAJAYA: The proposal by the Law Enforcement Action Committee (JPU) to ban ketum planting will be submitted to the cabinet for decision, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the outcome of the JPU meeting which he chaired yesterday would be brought to the attention of the Cabinet Committee on Eradicating Drugs, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Muhyiddin said the proposed ban on ketum planting could put an end to the abuse of ketum leaves.
“Although it ( ketum) is not categorised as a dangerous drug, evaluation by the Health Ministry finds the uncontrolled use of it brings negative effect and can be dangerous.
“We do not want the people to continue to suffer because of addiction and it is also not too late for us to address the problem,” he told a media conference after chairing the JPU meeting yesterday.
Muhyiddin said in accordance with the provision of the law, mitragynine found in ketum leaf was listed in the Third Schedule of the Psychotropic Substances of the Poisons Act 1952 and therefore its use for whatever purposes was unlawful.
On claims of ketum being used for medicinal purposes, Muhyiddin said various definitions were given to it to justify its use, but JPU was of the view that its use should be controlled to avoid abuse.
“Ths ( proposed) ban is the best move to address abuse of ketum . In fact, there is a case of Malaysia exporting it to Thailand when the latter bans ketum of of its negative effects,” he said. — Bernama