KANGAR - The Perlis government has no plans to export ketum leaves to Thailand as long as the legal framework on the matter is not resolved first.
Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said although the country did not have any laws to prevent the planting of ketum trees, there were legal provisions that prohibit the sale and use of the leaves.
He said apart from that, careful planning and solutions to the abuse of ketum leaves must also be considered comprehensively before any decision for export purposes was made as it (use of the leaves) had a negative impact on society.
"We have to solve the legal problems first because as long as this is not resolved, we cannot sell or plant ketum.
"Whatever is to be implemented must have a legal framework that permits it," he told reporters outside the Perlis State Assembly here today.
Perlis' neighbour Kedah has proposed to the federal government to allow the state to export ketum leaves, which have narcotic properties, to Thailand for medicinal use. - BERNAMA