GEORGE TOWN – The i-belanja food donation initiative is doing well in Air Itam and should be rolled out to the rest of Penang Island as it helps the less fortunate who cannot afford a meal, a city councillor said.
Tan Soo Siang is urging the Penang Island City Council to expand the scheme to all districts in the state after the pilot in Air Itam recorded an encouraging response.
Participating hawkers display a sign informing patrons of the i-belanja scheme.
Under the scheme, members of the public buy two meals from participating hawkers and food courts, which are under the jurisdiction of the city council.
One meal is consumed while the other is reserved, akin to a “pay it forward” scheme, for a needy customer.
Tan, from DAP, said although the scheme runs on trust and “benefit of the doubt”, the pilot project in Air Itam has been well received by hawkers and members of the public.
“We want the city council to expand it throughout the areas under its jurisdiction, perhaps the entire island,” said Tan at a council meeting yesterday.
She added that the scheme has helped to reduce food waste while aiding the less fortunate.
She said the concept was borrowed from cities in Thailand, where it has proven popular, as it is low-cost.
Tan suggested the state adopt it as part of its initiatives to check inflation and spread goodwill for people who are struggling.
Mayor and Penang Island City Council president Datuk A. Rajendran said the council will consider Tan’s proposal to expand the initiative to more districts. – The Vibes, May 26, 2023
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