Kedah govt to seize state lands found growing ketum

The state government will not hesitate to seize its lands if found to have been abused for growing ketum trees, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

He said the state government had never recognised the cultivation of ketum trees as there were now plenty of crops that could generate lucrative income to its operators. "If there are operators using state-owned land for growing ketum, which is not recognised, we will not hesitate to seize (the lands).

"We will use the provision of certain laws in doing so," he told reporters after launching the Kedah-level National Cooperative Day at Dataran Darul Aman here, Saturday. He said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) were also urged to take relevant actions on ketum planting activity in the state. In another development, Ahmad Bashah urged all UMNO members in Kedah to stay with the party and not to defect by joining a newly-proposed party led by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah, who is also State UMNO Liaison Commitee chairman, said this was because the party had contributed a lot to the people all these while.

"There is no need to change to other party...just stay put in this party (UMNO) because the party by them (Dr Mahathir) does not exist yet," he said, when asked to comment on the action by former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir who invited UMNO members to join the new party.

On Friday, Mukhriz had, in his speech during an Aidilfitri gathering in Kodiang, urged UMNO members to join the soon-to-be-established party.