GEORGE TOWN: Abusers of ketum leaves will soon face up to RM100,000 in fines, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.
He said jail term and whipping may also be introduced once the plant is re-classified under the Dangerous Drugs Act, expected to be early next year.
"The number of ketum leave abuse has gone out of control.
"It can cause hardcore addiction and we are taking steps to check the problem," he told reporters after opening a seminar on ketum leave abuse at Universiti Sains Malaysia here today.
He said amendments on the matter had been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers and abuse of ketum leaves was expected to be classified under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952 during the first quarter of next year.
At present, ketum is classified under the Poisons Act, 1952. The penalty of a fine not exceeding RM10,000 and a jail term of up to four years for misuse of ketum under Section 30 (3) of the Poisons Act is considered light by many quarters.
Ketum leaves boiled in water and drunk are used as a cheap alternative to satisfy addicts craving for drugs.
Wan Junaidi said a more deterrent punishment was required to check ketum abuse which has seen a rise in many states, including in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said seizure of ketum leaves by the various authorities had recorded a hefty jump of 5.22 tonnes in 2012 to 7.87 tonnes last year.
"For the first seven months this year, we have seized 6.9 tonnes of ketum leaves and this is very worrying," he said.