Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

DEPUTY Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir is concerned that 252,521 tonnes of solid waste were collected during the holy month of Ramadan last year against 208,143 tonnes in 2019.

The amount has increased by 21% in the past five years, with the disturbing fact that 44.5% of the solid waste was food.

In Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Ramadan bazaar traders are reportedly wasting 47,610kg of food per day, an amount that could feed 39,675 people. Obviously, that is a shameful lot of wastage we can do without.

This is where the MYSaveFood Ramadan 2023 programme, which involves the participation of local council, individual volunteers and civil society groups, comes into play.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said under this project, more than 18 tonnes of unsold food and drink from Ramadan bazaars have been saved and distributed to the needy since the beginning of the holy month.  

This is a commendable initiative, the outcome of which would go a long way towards feeding especially those who struggle daily to put food on the table, many of whom have had to face economic hardships in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is hoped the needy from non-Muslim communities would benefit from this programme as well.

Equally noteworthy is that this programme helps to prevent surplus food from unnecessarily being dumped into landfills, which in turn causes global warming.  

However, while we appreciate and welcome this well-intentioned effort, the fact remains there is still a practice that is wasteful at the source.

Bazaar traders ought to exercise prudence so that the amount of food prepared for sale would not be obscenely excessive. We ought to be mindful that food preparation also incurs resources.

Such excessiveness is most jarring especially when it occurs during the holy month, in which followers of Islam are expected to exercise moderation, restraint and patience – and not stuff your face at the break of fast.

If fasting is one way for Muslims to realise and empathise with the hardships of the poor and the needy, then extravagance in food production and consumption during Ramadan borders on disrespect, if not sinful.

But, such disconcerting overindulgence is not only confined to the bazaars.

Restaurants and swanky hotels are also known to tempt the palate of observing Muslims with their offers of sumptuous Ramadan delicacies, which often result in food wastage as well.

Surplus food has also been salvaged – much like in the spirit of the MYSaveFood Ramadan 2023 programme – from certain hotels in the past to be given to the needy.  

While giving charity during Ramadan is most exhorted by Islam, the concern here is that such giving of surplus food to the poor might also serve as an act of certain bazaar traders to “redeem” themselves of the waste they produce.

It is conceivable that fierce competition among bazaar traders may result in some of them losing sight of the value of moderation in food production. In short, there is still wastage.

If there is indeed a keen intention among the traders to give food for charity, perhaps they may want to consider allotting certain amount of food for the poor at the outset of food preparation – not after they are left unsold. Incidentally, human dignity is also cared for in this approach.

Food for charity, in this instance, is preplanned, while food for sale is prepared with prudence.

That said, it is hoped that attempts are frequently made to cut wastage down to the minimum in the spirit of Ramadan. – April 15, 2023.