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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright April 2023
We take plesure in welcoming PMX to Kedah but whether it welcomes him, we are not so very sure.
According to some aficionado of the sought after plant and its by products, Kedah is "ketum land".
Anyway, welcome to ketum land, PMX!
In the state of Darul Aman, as Kedah is officially known, people are happy most of the time, despite the weather which could turn from being extremely hot and muggy to being wet and muddy. But to them "never mind the weather, as long as we are together!" often sung to the tune of "Daisy, Daisy".
While waiting for Anwar to arrive, we sat in our car not far from a warong kopi. They were serving a greenish local brew. A friend mentiomed that it could be a ketum drink.
What does it do for you?
He said it energises you at work, "probably makes you happy too!" So, that's the secret of why Kedah people are so happy then!
Nowhere in the country is ketum so largely cultivated and drinks made from its leaves consumed more readily than in Kedah. Thus the label ketum land.
Two days before Anwar was expected to arrive in ketum land, there's a video of a young man on a motorbike giving a brief on the place where the event is scheduled to take place.
If he was to be taken as a representative sample of what most young people in Kedah think, then it does not augur well for PMX and his Madani Open House.
However, in Kedah you will never know whether if someone was high or not when they talk because Kedah people like their MB are very spirited when they talk, anyway.
But I would like to give this young man the benefit of the doubt. He might just be saying the truth. If this was true then you'll probably see mostly civil servants and other government officials at the function which will take place from 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
In case you are interested, at 11:30 pm they're planning to announce the Grand Prizes of lucky draws; 2 Yamaha Y15 and 3 Honda X5. That's supposed to entice young people to attend and to stay at the event till midnight.
Anyway, it remains to be seen whether young Kedah "mat motor" will be interested to attend and stay under the tent long enough to see the lucky winner take home the motorbikes without any ketum drink in sight.
By the way, if this was your first time in Kedah, be reminded that consuming ketum is unlawful in Kedah. The police treats it as an illegal substance. It's okay to grow but not to consume. That's why there are thoudands of acres of ketum plants on the border districts.
Speaking of rain, it has been stormy in the last few days. Let's hope the weather holds for PMX and his Madani Raya Open House in Aloq Staq, my favourite ketumland.
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