Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ahmad Amzad Hashim said this has been proposed by the department considering the numerous ketum cases in the state and that ketum contributes 40% of the total number of drug cases.

“Under the department, there are several centres, including the DNA analysis centre and water analysis centre. Now, a centre for ketum analysis has been proposed,” he told reporters in conjunction with the opening of the department’s building here.

Earlier, Chemistry Department director-general Mohamed Zaini Abdul Rahman said the Kelantan branch had handled 2,477 ketum cases in 2018 and 2,492 cases last year, involving a total of 24 tonnes of ketum leaves.

It has also handled cases involving five tonnes of ketum leaves this year.