KETUM is banned in Malaysia for its stimulant properties but is attributed to a professional cycling team’s victory at the prestigious Le Tour de France recently.
“Ketones” drink was used as an energiser for cyclists in the race as it is not listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA’s) prohibited list.
However, here in Malaysia, the ketum plant is considered hazardous under the Poison Act 1952, with the government being slow to take advantage of its commercial potential.
Known by its scientific name Mitragyna speciosa, this tropical tree is found in several Southeast Asia countries.
With ketum fetching up to RM500 per kilo internationally, it’s time for locals to explore the commercial potential of ketum. – July 23, 2019.
Persatuan Pencinta Herba Pulau Pinang owes a research centre focused on ketum at Bukit Mertajam, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Ketum leaves at a plantation in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Known by its scientific name Mitragyna speciosa, this tropical tree is found in several Southeast Asia countries. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.A muezzin and former heroin addict, Mohd Saad Che May, drinking ketum juice in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.A man washing ketum leaves before boiling them to extract the juice in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.A man boiling ketum leaves to brew juice in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Men filtering ketum juice in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The process of preparing ketum juice takes more than four fours. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Freshly prepared ketum juice placed being cooled down. Putrajaya has yet to decide on amending the Poison Act 1952 to help fight the abuse of ketum, or to promote ketum. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Members of Persatuan Pencinta Herba Pulau Pinang talking at their club house in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Professor Christopher McCurdy from University of Florida surrounded by ketum plants during his research visit to a plantation in Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.Ketum farmer Abdul Manaf picking the leaves from one of his plants in Penang. About 300 ketum trees can be planted in an acre and each tree can produce 5kg of leaves during harvest time. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, July 23, 2019.
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