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KUALA LUMPUR – Besides keeping consumers in high spirits, ketum will also be able to churn in high economic profits.
This is because the ketum industry, if properly developed, has the potential to aid economic progress, according to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (Hang Tuah Jaya-PH).
Ketum – or its scientific name, Mitragyna speciosa – is a plant in the coffee family historically used in herbal medicine. It is indigenous to several countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.
“The government should develop ketum as a product and herbal plant, as there is an especially large market for the product in rural areas,” Shamsul said while debating Budget 2022 at the Dewan Rakyat today.
“Even our neighbouring country Thailand has removed ketum from its list of narcotic substances.
“I have watched interviews with researchers from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) on the topic of ketum, so I believe that we have the capability to better develop the industry.”
Shamsul called on the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry to detail the future of the nation’s ketum programmes.
Earlier, he had questioned the government’s plans to advance hemp products, with the allocation of RM61.3 million provided to FRIM under Budget 2022.
“Have the endeavours of FRIM to develop hemp products been postponed, or are efforts still ongoing?” he queried, emphasising the vitality of medical hemp from an economic perspective as it can be used as a product for economic gain.
In August this year, former deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister Sim Tze Tzin said while Malaysia might face no issue in emulating Thailand, the government must also address the abuse of the plant by those who turn it into ketum water, which is addictive.
He was commenting on a statement released by Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Zahidi Zainul Abidin, who urged the federal government to legalise the commercial cultivation of ketum plants. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
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