KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 — All business premises and religious centres are encouraged to expand the concept of food bank to help ease the burden of the people, said Dewan Negara People’s Well-being Caucus Committee chairman Senator Datuk Razali Idris.
He said every business premises, either large or medium scale supermarkets, as well as different types of markets (wet markets, farmers’ markets and night markets); grocery stores; restaurants; eyewear shops; pharmacies and petrol stations could provide a special section to supply basic necessities for the purpose.
“As there is uncertainty in business and economy now, not every business premise is obliged to provide food bank space but it is still as a commendable act and entirely depends on their ability.
“Religious centres such as the management of suraus, mosques, temples and churches can also support the food bank concept widely due to their close connection with the community,” he said in a statement here today.
He also said that the integrated food bank concept mobilised by Malaysians also had an effective impact on the government’s food basket programme.
“The concept of food bank which is based on volunteerism will allow the charitable spirit to continue to be nurtured among the people, and this will directly benefit the needy,” he said.
— Bernama
