KUALA LUMPUR: The stand of the federal government is obvious – the export of ketum leaves isn’t allowed beneath the Poisons Act, mentioned Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He mentioned the request made by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on ketum export was doubtless a “private request”.
“It might be a private request that he has made however so far as the regulation is anxious, it’s a no,” he mentioned at a press convention after launching the “Kita Demi Negara” (Us for the Nation) marketing campaign right here on Thursday (March 17).
On Wednesday (March 16), Muhammad Sanusi mentioned the Federal Government would stand to profit from legalising the export of ketum leaves by imposing an export responsibility on the plant due to excessive demand from Thailand.
Earlier, in his speech, Hamzah introduced a RM20mil grant beneath the Malaysian Incentive Community Empowerment (MyICE) programme for two,000 registered associations for the welfare, safety, social and human rights classes beneath the Registrar of Societies.
This grant, he mentioned, shall be given primarily based on a primary come, first served foundation.
At the occasion, Hamzah introduced grants totalling RM10,000 to the ten registered associations beneath MyICE.
“Through this grant, I hope these registered associations will play a bigger and simpler function in prospering the nation in an inclusive and sustainable method,” he mentioned.
On “Kita Demi Negara”, Hamzah mentioned it’s aimed toward constructing the nation’s peace and prosperity, cultivating patriotism, constructing unity and racial concord, spreading consciousness of the function of the Home Ministry and its companies in addition to searching for the society’s cooperation.
“In line with the marketing campaign, we now have launched Sahabat Kita Demi Negara (KDN), a volunteer membership for Malaysians aged 15 and above. We have already got 500 members who will obtain a Sahabat KDN passport,” he mentioned.
KDN – Kementerian Dalam Negeri – can also be the Malay acronym for the Home Ministry.
Hamzah mentioned they’re focusing on 20,000 members for the Sahabat KDN programme within the subsequent six months amongst youth, college and school college students, non-governmental organisations and secondary college college students.
“These Sahabat KDN also can select to give attention to sure actions aside from studying from the police how to shoot, crusing, visiting border management areas, and different actions beneath the ministry’s companies,” he mentioned.
Present on the launch had been the Deputy Home Minister II Datuk Jonathan Yasin, the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah.
