Pahang: The Pahang branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has successfully collected more than 3,400 kilogrammes of surplus food, valued at nearly RM45,000, through the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative. This effort targets the reduction of food wastage by redirecting surplus food to those in need.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jezlily Jamaluddin, the director of KPDN in Pahang, emphasized the importance of this initiative, which was conducted from February 23 to March 14. The surplus food, gathered from selected Ramadan bazaars, is being distributed to mosques, educational institutions, orphans, the asnaf group, and individuals in need.

The initiative also highlights the focus on assisting low-income households, the asnaf group, orphans, and students. Five Ramadan bazaars in Pahang, including those in Pantai Selamat, Mahkota Square, Taman Tasik in Pekan, Kuala Lipis, and Muadzam Shah, have been designated as collection points for the i-FB programme.

Previously, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Living Costs, noted that the i-FB not only provides food aid but also supports environmental sustainability. With Malaysians producing 17,000 tonnes of food waste daily, based on SWCorp data, the programme aims to tackle this issue while promoting community benevolence by supporting vulnerable groups through food banks.