THE government will be banning the growing of ketum, or its scientific name Mitragyna Speciosa, following discussions at today’s anti-drug meeting in Putrajaya.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced that the cabinet has agreed to amend existing laws that permit the planting of ketum after chairing the meeting.

“Ketum, or Kratom in English, is a plant that has psychotropic effects and it is placed under the Poisons Act.

“As of now, the law permits the growing of ketum but it is illegal to harvest or to sell the leaves. We agreed to amend the law and make it illegal to grow ketum.

“Those who wanted to grow the plant must apply for a license from the Home Ministry when the law is passed,” Dr Wan Azizah said.

The cabinet also decided to amend the bills relevant to the psychotropic strand that allows for treatment, prevention and to monitor psychotropic drug users, including the use of inhalant drug such as glue sniffing.

“This is a very serious problem especially among the youth. We have cases where a 10-year-old boy had started sniffing glue. There has a bad effect on the brain.

“It can be seen on an MRI scan or CR scan,” Dr Wan Azizah added.

She also said the cabinet has agreed to take out Section 8 and Section 9 of the Drug Dependents Act (Rehabilitation and Treatment) from the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act.

“This should be done so former addicts who had gone for rehabilitation voluntarily can have their names taken out so they have no records.

“It is important to get rid of the stigma and to allow former addicts to have a second chance and to get a job,” she said.

The meeting today also discussed giving incentives to companies that hire former drug addicts.

“We view that work opportunities must be given to former drug addicts and studies have shown that they are less likely to turn back to drugs if they have bigger chances for work.

“We suggest that incentives be given to companies that hire former drug addicts,” Dr Wan Azizah said.

The meeting today was attended by Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. – January 17, 2019.