By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Mar 20 — Selangor’s local authorities have been encouraged to emulate the Shah Alam City Council’s (MBSA) initiative of collecting excess food from Ramadan bazaars and distributing it to nearby residences to combat food wastage.
According to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, discussions have been held with the state executive councillor for the environment and public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin to materialise this initiative.
“Some (of the local councils) have implemented it about two or three days ago. I have requested YB Jamaliah to urge other local councils to implement it as well,” he said during a press conference after the MySave Food @ Bazaar Ramadan launch at Section 19 today.
Citing the Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) as an example, Amirudin said they started the initiative several days ago, with 127kg in excess Ramadan bazaar food collected so far.
Meanwhile, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) similarly initiated a food waste programme for composting purposes.
Jamaliah, state executive councillor for entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi, and Batu Tiga state assemblyman Danial Al-Rashid Haron also attended the launch.
Commenting further on the MBSA’s excess Ramadan bazaar food, the Menteri Besar said this would indirectly alleviate the burden on low-income groups in certain areas of Selangor, given the rising living costs and prices of food items.
“The distribution will take place approximately within two hours from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, targeting residents of low-cost housing apartments, students facing financial constraints, as well as suraus and mosques for moreh,” he said when asked whether the food is safe to consume during the distribution.
MBSA’s initiative, now in its fourth year, has successfully collected unsold excess food from Ramadan bazaars, amounting to 859kg in 2021, 2.2 tonnes in 2022, 2.9 tonnes in 2023, and 1.6 tonnes as of yesterday.
The programme involving Ramadan bazaars in Section 13, Section 17, and Section 19 is ongoing from March 14 to April 3.
It is held in collaboration with volunteers and NGOs from Pertubuhan Pemuda Gema Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and the Higher Education Department.
