'Consider ketum and cannabis as part of post-pandemic economic remedy'

A Bersatu supreme council member has called on the government to allow the production of ketum and cannabis as alternative industries to help shore up the national economy, post the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Muhammad Faiz Bin Na'aman said the cultivation of these plants could revive Malaysia's "BioValley", a stalled biotechnology hub project that was outlined in the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

He said government agencies have recognised the medicinal values of ketum, while international researchers have also recognised the benefits of cannabis.

"Based on scientific research and the fact that Malaysia has the requisite climate, these controversial plants can be cultivated, under strict regulation, to help the medical industry.appen if the government views it as a new local industry with high demand," said Muhammad Faiz, who is a medical practitioner.

He argued that Malaysia was suitable for biotechnology to flourish due to its unique biodiversity and that the nation also has capability in the field of bioinformatics.

By completing the BioValley project, Muhammad Faiz said it would complete the Cyberjaya project and help the economy by drawing in new investors who are seeking new opportunities due to the ongoing US-China trade war.

While any form of cannabis is strictly illegal in Malaysia, the informal ketum cultivation is widespread in Kedah, Perlis and in some parts of Perak.

Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin has repeatedly urged the federal government to legalise the ketum cultivation industry for export purposes when he was chairperson of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda).

Zahidi had argued that Malaysia was losing out to Indonesia and Vietnam, which were fulfilling the European demand for high-quality ketum.

Currently, the Poisons Act 1952 makes it illegal to possess processed ketum.

However, the previous Pakatan Harapan administration had planned to amend the law and make it illegal to even cultivate the plant. - Mkini