LANGKAWI – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed has called for a ban on ketum because of its hallucinogenic and narcotic properties despite Kedah’s move to legalise the plant for export to neighbouring Thailand, seeing the growing demand for its use as herbal medicine.
The former prime minister likens ketum to forcing Muslims to rear pigs or sell alcohol, saying alcohol and ketum are illegal because it entices the consumer to become intoxicated under the influence of illegal substances.
“Islam does not condone for its followers to become drunk or high, hence, why we are against narcotics or other substance abuse. It overcomes people until they do not know what they are doing when they are in a stupor,” he said after visiting two villages here.
It was reported that drug addicts have abused ketum leaves because it contains psychoactive ingredients that give euphoric effects, which can lead to addiction after it is mixed into a drink.
Ketum or its scientific name Mitragyna speciose, is a plant in a family of plants used in herbal medicine.
It is indigenous to several countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.
Due to its high demand, Kedah, who has an abundance of such plants, wants to export the leaves to Thailand due to its high value as an herbal medicine product. Dr Mahathir, however, says Malaysia should not be trading or cultivating the plant in the first place.
When told that Malaysia was planning to export the leaves, the Langkawi MP posed a rhetorical question on whether or not Muslims distribute pork (pigs) to Singapore or distribute alcohol to other countries.
“It is haram (forbidden). Just like when people give bribes. It is not right so we should not be doing it. It is that simple. It is the same value system, so it is best to ban ketum altogether,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said that there must be other ways to generate income for farmers besides cultivating the controversial plant, adding that there are alternative methods to generate income from agricultural activities.
The opposition lawmaker also urged the islanders here not to seek the easy way out by selling their land even though it may now cost millions.
“If they do not know how to sustain their money, they will end up with nothing.”
Instead, Dr Mahathir urged them to use their land as a collateral to seek capital to venture into commercial enterprises or agriculture and advised them to cultivate the land and its returns, seeing that the nation has a food shortage.
He also clarified that the imposing Langkawi Maha Tower in Kuah was built by a private contractor and does not belong to the government.
The tower was the brainchild of a private company, and it took up to eight years to get the local authorities to approve the building structure, said Dr Mahathir.
“It is a private initiative and not from the government,” he said. – The Vibes, March 30, 2022
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