KOTA KINABALU, Feb. 8 -- The Sabah Government has reaffirmed that the cultivation, importation and research of guarana plants are still banned in the State, thereby refuting the claims made by Keningau Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan that the crop is legal and disease-free.

State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said this position is based on plant quarantine laws and official notifications from the Brazilian government, the country of origin for guarana.

He noted that the Malaysian Department of Agriculture has clarified that the importation and cultivation of guarana are not permitted in Malaysia, including Sabah, and at the State level, no approvals have ever been granted.

"Th...