Reconsider ketum cultivation proposal, farmers appeal

Ketum farmers and traditional healers in Kedah, Perlis and Penang have appealed to the government to reconsider the Rubber Industries Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) proposal to cultivate the

plant for commercial purposes.

Non-governmental organisation 'Gabungan Setia Melayu Pulau Pinang' chairman, Mohd Ridzuan Ibrahim said the demand had strong foundation.

Besides, local researchers had yet to find any evidence that ketum could be hazardous, he noted.

"Today, there are farmers and practitioners from the three states who want to illuminate the benefits of ketum, and we stand by our opinions to be allowed to cultivate ketum for the purpose of increasing farmer earnings.

"I'm surprised many researchers carried out research on that plant but there are still parties refusing to recognise the advantages of this plant," said Mohd Ridzuan at a press conference here today.

Nearly 100 farmers and practitioners who used ketum for traditional medicines attended the press conference, including an entrepreneur, Ooi Teik Lee who has been exporting ketum to the United States (US) and Europe since 2008.

Recently, Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin had proposed to the government to allow smallholders to cultivate ketum for export to increase their earnings, only to receive backslash from several parties.

Even the Kedah and Perlis state governments had said they would seize the farmers' lands if they chose to plant ketum.

Mohd Ridzuan said a researcher from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Dr Darshan Singh, who had studied ketum for more than 10 years described the plant as one which did not endanger public health or caused adverse effects those drinking ketum juice.

"So, what are the reasons for the government to ban the plant when it is in high demand? Even western researchers have proven the plant is effective in treating a number of diseases.

"The government should first consult experts in the country before making any decision," he said.

A traditional medicine practitioner, Zakaria Salam, 63, from Kampung Baru Ladang Tebu, Padang Terap in Kedah said his family had been using ketum since the 60s, to treat worm-related diseases, aches, fatigue and drug addiction.

Ahmad Rosli Ismail, who owns a small rubber plantation, also from Padang Terap said many smallholders depended on the sale of ketum to eke out a living as rubber prices had plummeted recently.