KualaLumpur (VNA) – The Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia(JAKIM) and environment management companies have called on local people toavoid food wastage during the month of Ramadan.

Publicawareness on food wastage in the month of Ramadan should be given highattention due to the daily increase in solid waste collection recorded almostevery year during the fasting month, they said.

JAKIMsaid that it would work with relevant agencies to improve public awarenessabout food wastage during Ramadan.

TheMalaysian Muslim Consumers Association urged the citizens to practise mealplanning during Ramadan to help curb the growing problem of food wastage in thecountry.

Itspresident Datuk Nadzim Johan said people in the country need to realise thereal purpose of fasting and plan their meal on the holy month accordingly toavoid food wastage culture.

Lastyear, Alam Flora, a leading environment company in Malaysia, recorded dailyincreases in total solid waste collection from 150 tonnes to 200 tonnes per daythroughout the month of Ramadan.

Theamount includes the collection throughout the concession areas under theservice of Alam Flora which is in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Pahang.

AlamFlora’s CEO Datuk Mohd Zain Hassan advised the people to save up some moneywhen they purchase food and do not over-buy them. Meanwhile, Ramadan bazaartraders should not to waste and donate unsold food to welfare homes or those inneed, he added.

Thisyear, the month of Ramadan in Malaysia will begin on May 17.-VNA