THE nation has intensified efforts to combat food waste and support vulnerable communities, with more than 71 tonnes of surplus food successfully recovered and redistributed nationwide during Ramadan 2026 under the Ihsan Food Bank initiative.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) said the programme reflects a growing whole-of-nation approach involving government agencies, private sector players and non-governmental organisations to address both food insecurity and environmental sustainability.
The initiative, coordinated through a dedicated secretariat under the National Action Council on Cost of Living, Majlis Tindakan Sara Hidup Negara, is being further strengthened through expanded partnerships, including the latest participation of food supplier Jetsin Sdn Bhd in Kota Kinabalu.
The company’s involvement, alongside local groups such as the Sabah Chefs Association and Persatuan Dapur Kita Sabah, is expected to reinforce its existing corporate social responsibility programme, Dapur Kita-Kita, which has been running since December 2024.
Through the i-FB@Dapur Kita-Kita initiative, some 200 packs of cooked meals have been distributed to underprivileged communities in and around Kota Kinabalu, with support from volunteers including students from higher education institutions in the area.
The ministry welcomed the company’s contribution, describing it as part of a broader collaborative effort built around the initiative’s core principles of community care, environmental stewardship and food rescue.
The scale of the programme was most evident during the i-FB@Bazar Ramadan 2026 campaign, which saw a total of 71.3 tonnes, or 71,352.69 kilograms, of surplus food salvaged across the country.
In Sabah alone, 2.6 tonnes of food were recovered and redistributed to those in need.
The programme was implemented across 119 Ramadan bazaars nationwide, supported by 2,875 volunteers, demonstrating what officials described as the effectiveness of coordinated intervention in reducing food wastage.
Authorities said the initiative not only extends assistance to vulnerable groups but also contributes to environmental protection by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and easing pressure on landfill sites caused by food waste.
Looking ahead, the government is developing a National Food Bank Action Plan aimed at strengthening and institutionalising such efforts, including exploring appropriate forms of recognition for organisations that demonstrate sustained commitment to the programme.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the continued expansion of the initiative reflects Malaysia’s broader ambition to align social welfare, economic resilience and environmental responsibility in addressing the cost of living challenge. - April 11, 2026
