MELAKA: Enough to feed 12 million people a day. That is how much Malaysians waste food every day.

Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) deputy chief executive officer Mohammad Diah Wahari said Malaysians threw away 16,688 tonnes of food daily.

He said the figure was based on a SWCorp study conducted last year.

“The amount of food wastage in Malaysia is enough to feed 12 million people three times a day. On top of that, the amount rises by about 15 to 20 per cent during festive seasons.

“That is why SWCorp is running a campaign to educate the public on efforts to appreciate food, include via our ‘Value Food No Waste’ campaign,” he said.

Diah was speaking after the launch of the “Value Food No Waste” campaign by state Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tey Kok Kiew.

Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) deputy chief executive officer Mohammad Diah Wahari with State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tey Kok Kiew during the launch of the “Value Food No Waste” campaign in Ayer Keroh. - NSTP/NOOR AZURIN MOHD SHARIF

Also present was state SWCorp director Sharudin Hamid.

Diah said the corporation would widen the campaign in its efforts to lessen the rate of food wastage in the country.

“For a start, we are working with several hotels in each state. We are focusing on food at buffet lines which have yet to be touched and still in good condition... this will be distributed to those in need,” he said.

Diah said he was confident that, with the large number of hotels in Malaysia, the campaign could be made into a major one.

He said this would not only serve to stop food wastage but would also benefit the needy.