The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will work with the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to tackle the increasing criminal activities of ketum smuggling and abuse.

Perlis police chief, Datuk Surina Saad said the 60 per cent increase in ketum addiction and consumption in the state compared to last year was very worrying and police would take stricter action to prevent further abuse from happening.

“The police chose Felda to help eliminate ketum trees planted around the Felda area in collaboration with Felda which is also concerned about this issue.

"If this programme is successful, we believe that PDRM will be able to prevent ketum abuse more effectively and at the same time, ketum prevention operations carried out since last August will have positive effects," she told the media at the Perlis Police Chief with Felda Mata Ayer Community programme, here, today.

Meanwhile, Surina advised the public to use the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application, a new innovation by PDRM to make it easier for the public to channel information to assist the police.

-- BERNAMA