Ban Ketum Cultivation Place Etomidate Under Dangerous Drug Act

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DAP Senator Dr A Lingeshwaran urged the government to strengthen the Poisons Act by including a ban on the cultivation of ketum.
In addition, he also urged Putrajaya to classify etomidate under the Dangerous Drugs Act, instead of the Poisons Act, for stricter control.
“Both are pressing matters as they involve people’s lives, public health, and our younger generations’ future,” he said at the Dewan Negara today.
Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent which is usually used during certain medical procedures, such as treating dislocated joints.
The most common side effects of its use include aching pain on injection and transient skeletal muscle movements.
On ketum, Lingeshwaran said that while the Poisons Act criminalises its processing, distribution, and use, the law is unclear on its cultivation.
KetumAs a result, he said, certain quarters are taking advantage of the loophole, affecting enforcement work.
“Without banning its cultivation, our efforts to stem syndicates are hindered, while our society is left burdened with handling its social and health repercussions,” Lingeshwaran added.
Singapore’s strict measures
As for etomidate, the DAP leader said the Singapore government took strict action after it found out that one of the three vape liquids tested by its authorities had the substance in it.
The substance, he added, is linked to causing road accidents.
“In a proactive measure, Singapore classified etomidate as a controlled drug (Class C) under its Misuse of Drugs Act, effective Sept 1 this year,” Lingeshwaran said.
In contrast, he pointed out that Malaysia lists etomidate under the Poisons Act, which he deemed insufficient, given the rising misuse of “Kpods” among youth.
“I urge the Health Ministry to review etomidate’s status and place it under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
“This is to ensure that we can impose more stringent control over it,” he added.
“Kpods” refers to vape liquid that is usually mixed with etomidate. - Mkini

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