PUTRAJAYA: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has decided to reject Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority’s (Risda) proposal to plant ketum on a commercial scale.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said commercialising ketum could bring negative effects as it has drug elements.
“After weighing the pros and cons, the ministry views planting ketum as potentially bringing more negative effects, especially on the country's social aspects.
“We fear that if we approve this plan, it will be misused by certain quarters. Thus, we have concluded that commercialising ketum will bring more harm than good.”
“This decision was made after considering opinions from various parties including the Health Ministry, Education Ministry, Home Ministry, Malaysian Drug Prevention Association, National Anti-Drugs Agency and other non-governmental organisations, who had mostly objected to the proposal," said Ismail after chairing the ministry’s post cabinet meeting, today.
Risda’s director-general Mohd Najib A Samad had earlier presented the agency’s proposal, which included the advantages and disadvantages of ketum.
Najib said Risda accepted the ministry’s decision.
Risda chairperson Zahidi Zainul Abidin had suggested that the government allow rubber smallholders to plant ketum to help increase their income due to the high demand for ketum by pharmacists in the United States and Europe.