KOTA KINABALU, June 7 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) plans to strengthen the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) programme this year by developing a comprehensive action plan to enhance its nationwide implementation.
Its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the initiative will serve as a guide for all stakeholders involved in carrying out the programme more effectively and systematically.
“We intend to strengthen the i-FB programme so that we can develop and publish an action plan that will serve as a reference for all parties involved in implementing the initiative,” he told the media after officiating the i-FB today.
Armizan added that the action plan would help align the programme's direction and objectives while improving coordination among participating organisations and agencies.
He also called on the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and related institutions to participate in the initiative, either as food contributors or as partners in distribution efforts and the identification of target groups.
The involvement of various stakeholders would help create a more conducive ecosystem for the programme and ensure its objectives are achieved in a more organised and effective manner.
“The i-FB initiative emphasises the values of kindness and compassion by encouraging society to work together in caring for communities, particularly vulnerable and underserved groups.
“This initiative combines three main objectives...caring for the community, protecting the environment, and rescuing surplus food that remains safe for consumption,” Armizan said.
On the programme’s implementation, he said QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd was among KPDN's earliest strategic partners in strengthening the initiative through the i-FB@KFC project.
The project currently involves 10 KFC restaurants in Sabah working in collaboration with 10 NGOs to distribute surplus food to those in need.
The i-FB@KFC initiative will be expanded nationwide in phases, with the participation of more restaurants, NGOs and related institutions to enhance food rescue efforts and provide greater assistance to vulnerable communities.
He added that the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to reducing food waste while strengthening food security support for those most in need.
