ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's call for the federal government to legalise ketum export has drawn mixed reactions from social activists and members of the business community in the state.
Kota Setar Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) chairman Dr Zaki Zamani Abd Rashid said the move to legalise ketum export would have serious implications on the state government.
"First of all, this may compromise Kedah's name as the national rice producer. We do not want Kedah to be turned from a 'negeri jelapang padi' into 'negeri jelapang ketum'," he said, cautioning that legalising ketum export could also risk the future of padi farming in the state.
Dr Zaki warned that the move would also lead to ketum abuse addiction in the state that would include secondary school students.
He said there was no credible scientific proof to back up claims that ketum had medical benefits, adding that it was, however, known to be addictive.
"In fact, the Kedah Fatwa Council in 2005 declared ketum 'haram' (forbidden) so, why does the state government wish to legalise its export?" he asked.
Although ketum planting is allowed, the sale of ketum drinks and the export of ketum are illegal under the Poisons Act 1952.
However, Siamese Bumiputera Malaysia Chambers of Commerce president Datuk Seri Boon Som Inong said the government should not ignore the huge potential of ketum exports to the country's economy.
"There is a huge demand for ketum produced in Kedah among the Thai pharmaceutical industry and at RM150 per kilogramme, we are talking about a commodity worth millions of ringgit.
"We should also be looking beyond Thailand, as there is demand for ketum among pharmaceutical producers in European countries," he said when contacted.
Boon said he agreed with the call made by the menteri besar for ketum export to be legalised.
"We are talking about proper regulations over high grade ketum plantation in Kedah, which is dedicated for the export market.
"Even with the current ban against its export, ketum is still being smuggled to Thailand due to its high demand, so the government should look at this from the economic perspective as well," he said.
Boon pointed out that ketum plantations would help to improve the livelihood of farmers in Kedah who depend on padi planting, rubber and other crops.
"The rubber price is just over RM2 per kilogramme, and not to mention that the trees cannot be tapped during heavy rainfall, with padi growers currently facing high cost of padi inputs.
"Therefore, ketum should be viewed as a promising complementary crop with a high commercial value to supplement the farmers' incomes," he said.
Boon added that it was a waste for the country to ignore ketum's commercial value just because some locals were abusing it by mixing it with cough syrup.
"Thailand is already leading in terms of R&D on the benefits of ketum in pharmaceutical and medical fields, but we are still debating on the threat of ketum addiction," he said.
Yesterday, Sanusi had requested for ketum exports to be legalised as it could be developed into a lucrative industry.
He had said there was high demand in Thailand for ketum plants from Kedah, which could fetch up to RM150 per kilogramme, compared to RM30 per kilogramme in the local market here.
Sanusi had said he hoped the federal government would give serious attention to the proposal and view it in good faith.
