13/07/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday JULY 13, 2025

Ministry backs move to send ketum users for rehab

SHAH ALAM: Police have launched an investigation into allegations of immoral activities during a marital motivation programme held at a convention centre in Shah Alam. Shah Alam district police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the complaint was filed by the husband of a programme participant in late February. “We have summoned the complainant’s wife along with other witnesses who attended the event to record their statements. We have also invited the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to attend the scheduled proceedings,” he said in a statement. He urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and contact the Shah Alam district police headquarters or investigating officer ASP Anuar Amilah at 019-2255597. Department of Islamic Development Malaysia director general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee confirmed that the department will also investigate the programme, which was held last September and has been linked to acts of indecency and polytheism. Meanwhile, Selangor Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the organiser was summoned by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council three years ago over concerns with its modules. He said a former participant lodged a report in 2022 regarding inappropriate content used in the programme. “The organiser was called in by the hearing panel under the council’s Aqidah Control Committee and was instructed to revise several modules to ensure compliance with Islamic principles,” he said in a statement. Mohd Shahzihan said Selangor Islamic Religious Department did not receive any report about the alleged immoral activities during the session in September last year, which was later widely shared online. However, he said the department will summon several individuals on Tuesday to assist in the investigation and will work closely with police. He said Selangor Islamic Religious Department will investigate under Section 7 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995 (false doctrine), on suspicion that a ceremony or act related to Islam had taken place which is contrary to Islamic law. – Bernama Police probe alleged immoral acts at marital motivation programme

Experts stress need for recovery initiatives to address dependence, health risks

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Biology principal research fellow Professor Datuk Dr Ibrahim Jantan said besides mitragynine, ketum leaves contain two other psychoactive compounds: 7-hydroxymitragynine and speciogynine. He explained that these compounds are also regulated under the Poisons Act due to their potential to alter behaviour, mood and cognition. “These compounds do not just alter mood, they interact with the brain in ways similar to opioids. That’s why they’re regulated. Because they pose a risk of dependence and can lead to serious behavioural or physiological outcomes if misused, including overdoses, severe withdrawal symptoms and other serious health issues,” he said. Ibrahim cautioned that processed products from ketum , such as powders and extracts, may carry more concentrated and unpredictable chemical compositions compared with raw leaves. “Once ketum is turned into powder or extract, the levels of alkaloids can vary significantly, especially when mixed with other substances,” he added. This inconsistency can alter potency and increase the risk of unintended effects, particularly among younger or services, with prices ranging from RM160 to RM480. “The syndicate’s modus operandi involved promoting services through websites, where clients would make bookings via WhatsApp and Telegram before being directed to the selected location,” he said in a statement. He added that the websites displayed information such as available locations, photographs of the women and subscription prices. “Bookings were made based on the chosen location, the woman and the time slot via the provided WhatsApp or Telegram numbers,” he said. Zakaria said two of the premises were raided at 3pm on

PETALING JAYA: A prostitution ring using WhatsApp and Telegram was dismantled following the arrest of 89 individuals, including foreign nationals and four locals, in three separate operations across the Klang Valley on July 9. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the arrests were made under Op Gegar, with raids conducted at three premises in Kuchai, Sri Petaling and Cheras. He said the syndicate operated out of budget hotels, offering Thai, Vietnamese, Myanmar and Indonesian women for sexual PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has reaffirmed the National Anti-Drugs Agency’s decision to send ketum or kratom users to rehabilitation centres, even if they do not show physical symptoms of addiction. In a written statement to theSun , the ministry explained that this authorisation is due to the psychoactive compounds found in ketum leaves. “Mitragynine is a substance controlled under the Poisons Act 1952. Section 8 of the Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Act 2024 allows drug or substance abusers to apply for treatment and rehabilitation through a rehabilitation officer. “The officer may certify the individual and prescribe the necessary rehabilitation,” the statement read. Currently, there are 111 One Stop Centres for Addiction operating throughout Malaysia to treat various forms of drug addiction, including ketum abuse. In response to the statement, the daily sought further insight on ketum’s composition from experts. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Systems

Shazali said psychological addiction happens when a person feels they cannot function without ketum , whether to calm down, manage emotions or get through the day. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

uninformed users. Ibrahim also warned that it can cause liver toxicity, which may be identified through symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, light coloured stools, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and itching. “There have been reports of liver damage associated with ketum use, especially in high doses or when combined with other substances,” he said. Malaysian Psychological Association president Associate Professor Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali said ketum dependence may exist even without physical withdrawal symptoms and is often rooted in the same day. “During the raid, a total of 26 foreign women were detained, including six Thai, eight Indonesian, 11 Vietnamese and one Myanmar national, all suspected of offering sexual services. Additionally, two male individuals from Bangladesh and Pakistan were arrested for allegedly working at the premises. Four local men believed to be acting as ‘captains’ or supervisors were also detained,” he said. A third premises, an entertainment centre, was raided at 10.55pm after it was suspected of employing foreign guest relations officers (GRO). “During this raid, 96 individuals were screened and 61 foreign

psychological reliance. “Psychological addiction happens when a person feels they cannot function without ketum , whether to calm down, manage emotions or get through the day,” he said. He added that this can lead to compulsive behaviours such as continued use despite knowing the harm, emotional withdrawal and declining motivation. Shazli explained that interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy can help identify stressors and guide users towards healthier alternatives. However, he stressed that not every ketum user should be labelled an addict. nationals were detained. They included 44 Thai women, two Vietnamese, four Laotians and two Myanmar nationals suspected of working as GRO, as well as five Bangladeshi men and four Thai men believed to be working at the premises,” he said. All detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for further investigation. “They are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Passport Act 1966. Additionally, seven local citizens were issued notices to appear and assist in the investigation.”

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com Prostitution ring using WhatsApp, Telegram busted

Four held over crude palm oil theft in Sandakan SANDAKAN: The Marine Police Force, in collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, arrested four men believed to be involved in the misappropriation of crude palm oil during two separate raids in Sandakan. Sabah Region 4 Marine Police commander ACP Mohd Nazri Ibrahim said the integrated operation began with a raid along Jalan Sandakan-Kinabatangan at 3.30pm on Thursday, which led to

media statement. Mohd Nazri said the seized goods, comprising about 75,000 litres of crude and processed palm oil, were estimated to be worth RM2.96 million. – Bernama

“The was conducted at a premises in Bandar Ramai-Ramai, where a tanker and several storage tanks containing crude and processed palm oil were found,” he said in a second raid

the arrest of four men aged between 20 and 45. “All of them were arrested while transferring crude palm oil from a tanker into another tank for delivery to a separate location.