Ketum will be gazetted under the Dangerous Drugs Act - Home Minister

The Home Ministry will gazette the abuse of ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves to be placed under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, said its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said enforcement on the abuse of ketum leaves would be carried out soon by the police and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) nationwide.

"The planting of ketum trees, the processing of the ketum leaves and distribution of ketum are offences and we will eradicate the abuse," he told a media conference after opening the 2014 Kubang Pasu Umno division delegates meeting here today.

The abuse of ketum leaves prior to this was placed under the Poisons Act 1952.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the government planned to build an electronic fence along the country's borders including in Sabah and Sarawak to curb smuggling activities.

He said much of the existing fences had been damaged by smugglers who took out subsidised goods and brought in drugs into the country.

"Almost RM5.2 billion worth of subsidised items like diesel and petrol have been smuggled to neighbouring countries which cause losses to the government," he said in his speech.