Kedah state the biggest supplier of krathom leaves

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Kedah state has been identified as the largest supplier of ketum (krathom in Thai), an addictive plant, in Malaysia with over 32 ha of ketum farms across the state, generating sales of up to RM1 million a month, New Straits Times Online reported on Friday.

National Anti-Drugs Agency director Mohd Nazir Mustafa said the farms are being operated by 81 people. Most of the ketum leaves harvested were smuggled into southern Thailand.

Apart from the lucrative returns, he said that the planting and nurturing of the crops were less hassle compared with padi and rubber trees as farmers deal with fever pest threats.

He said that an owner of 0.8 ha ketum farm was able to generate a monthly income of up to RM 30,000. He pointed out that ketum farming is not an offence under the Malaysian law, be it under Dangerous Drugs Act or the Poisons Act.

Hence, he said authorities could not do anything against ketum farms unless against the abuse of ketum leaves.

Kedah state the biggest supplier of krathom leaves - Thai PBS English News