The commercialiasation of ketum trees is not relevant as it is against Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952 which has listed its leaves among prohibited properties, said Perlis deputy police chief ACP Noor Mushar Muhammad.

He said police did not agree with the proposal by several parties to grow ketum trees on a commercial scale.

He said this was what happened in the Golden Triangle (on the Myanmar border), where according to him it was initially transformed into opium plantation for medicinal purposes, but it did not turn out as what had been planned.

Furthermore, Noor Mushar said as the commercialisation would involve large quantities, it was feared that there would be negative implications, be it in the short or long term.

He was speaking to the reporters after officially opening the 46th anniversary of Police Cadet Corps for the state level.

He was asked to comment on among others the request for approval from Risda chairperson Zahidi Zainul Abidin to grow ketum trees on a commercial scale to help increase income of farmers.

Perlis Menter Besar Azlan Man echoed Zahidi Zainul’s views saying he was of the opinion that ketum trees can be grown commercially if scientifically proven to have medicinal properties and there was high demand for the leaves abroad.

- Bernama