Govt mulls fines for diners who waste food, says Wan Azizah

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 2 Dec 2018 4:03PM · 6 Comments

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says each Malaysian wastes about 1kg of food a day. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 2, 2018.

THE federal government is mulling a law that will impose a fine for diners who waste their food, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.

She said the Food Waste Act aims to curb Malaysians throwing away good food daily and a reminder to all food operators to educate diners not to waste.

“The communities should learn to appreciate and avoid the habit of throwing away good food. On average, Malaysians throw away around 1kg of food daily. So don’t waste. 

“The government is now looking at all possible angles to draft the new law,” she said during the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition (Maha) 2018, in Serdang, today.

Malaysians waste around 3,000 tonnes of food a day and the amount is more during the festive seasons.

Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) said some 615,000 tonnes of food was thrown away during Ramadan this year.

Dr Wan Azizah said the government is also thinking of expanding the Malaysian Food Bank programme nationwide next year.

“The move will allow any large stores to donate any of their excess food like, eggs, vegetables and fruits, to the needy.

“We are expecting to expand the programme nationwide early next year.

“If we could reduce wastage, indirectly we would be able to reduce the cost of living of people.”

Agriculture and Agro-base Minister Salahuddin Ayub said the formulation of the food waste act will involve other ministries, like health, and science, technology and environment.  

“I noticed lots of food is being thrown away, especially during festive seasons like Ramadhan, when hotels and resorts offer buffets.” – December 2, 2018.

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Comments

  • There are many other options to consider. Don't make the people to raise their eyebrows.

    Posted 5 years ago by Thiagarajan Ramasamy · Reply

    • My long departed dad who came up through life the hard way used to say that I should eat everything on my plate and not waste any food..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • best to legislate laws that are more effective. Eg france has a law to force supermarkets to give unsold food to charities

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/04/french-law-forbids-food-waste-by-supermarkets

    Posted 5 years ago by Sharizal Shaarani · Reply

  • First, resolve issues pertaining to women and family development.....then think of new ways to create a united nation....all these diversions are pure nonsense

    Posted 5 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • Enough of these laughable attempts to transform Pakatan Harapan into a nanny government, keeping the population infantilized forever! Just open the windows, unlock the doors, let in sine light and fresh air, organize the massive cleanupog the Augean stables. Leave the living to us!

    Posted 5 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • U are the DPM dont have other Deputy Minister to make that statement its better u step down just be a mom for your family.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply