Police Destroy 1,500 Ketum Trees in Integrated Operation at Labu Kubong Reserve Land
Police Destroy 1,500 Ketum Trees in Integrated Operation at Labu Kubong Reserve Land
The police force successfully destroyed 1,500 ketum trees illegally planted on 8.09 hectares of government reserve land around Mukim Labu Kubong in an integrated operation today.
The operation was launched following police intelligence and public complaints regarding land encroachment along 5.4 kilometers in Pengkalan Daun and 3 kilometers in Sungai Keroh.
According to Hilir Perak District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin, 19 ketum cultivation sites were strategically identified as the primary targets for this holistic destruction operation.
“Unlike previous operations where we only pruned the trees, this time we uprooted the entire plants because intelligence suggests that pruned trees grow back with higher-quality leaves—which are used by certain groups for illegal purposes,” he explained to the media.
The operation involved cooperation from various agencies including the Land and Mines Office, Hilir Perak District Office, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), National Security Council, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), and the Public Works Department (JKR).
Hilir Perak Alleged to be the Nation's ‘Ketum Hub’
ACP Bakri also expressed concern regarding reports alleging that Hilir Perak is the main supply center for ketum leaves and ketum juice in Malaysia.
“This is just the first phase of our operation under the National Land Code. The second phase will target private landowners who are illegally planting ketum trees,” he asserted.
He admitted it is difficult to identify the planters because the trees are grown on government reserve land, but he believes the syndicate involved has been operating for over 10 years based on the size and height of the trees found.
“This is an illegal business that generates lucrative returns. They are active in picking ketum leaves early in the morning before marketing them domestically and abroad, including to Thailand,” he added.
For the year 2024, 76 individuals were arrested with 31 investigation papers opened regarding ketum-related offenses. During that period, 117.28 liters of ketum juice and 79 kilograms of ketum leaves were seized.
Meanwhile, from January to April 2025, seven cases were reported with 25 individuals arrested, involving the seizure of 147.5 liters of ketum juice and 24 kilograms of ketum leaves.
Continuous operations are expected to be carried out to curb the increasingly widespread ketum cultivation activities.
Reference:
- Utusan Malaysia
- Sinar Harian
