National Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has expressed his disagreement on the banning of research on ketum.

Wan Junaidi believes that banning research on the plant will only lead to major losses for the country as ketum is easy to plant and has a high market value overseas.

The government, said Wan Junaidi, must allow research on ketum to expand its potential especially in the field of medicine.

“We should not ban research on ketum because we will suffer from losses if we do so since it has high value and is not available in many countries,” he said in a press conference in Parliament today.

He was earlier asked on the possibility of ketum selling in the country for medicinal purposes following the passing of the Access and Benefit Sharing Bill which will regulate the use of biological resources in Parliament today.

Wan Junaidi, however, said the bill does not allow for ketum to be commercialised as it is still under the purview of the Home Ministry and Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the minister said the passing of the bill had allayed his concerns on the exploitation of ketum by outside quarters.

Earlier in Parliament today, Wan Junaidi said the new law will also prevent biopiracy.

During the press conference later, he said the bill will prevent the country’s biological resources from being exploited by foreign scientists as those guilty of offences could face 10 years' imprisonment or fine up to RM500,000.

Countries such as Thailand and the United States import ketum leaves from the country to conduct research, said Wan Junaidi, leading to concerns that the results of the research will be patented by the countries involved.

The sale of ketum juice is currently banned under the Poisons Act. Action can also be taken against those who plant ketum for commercial purposes.