Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin (centre) and Masdiana (right) presenting a food basket to a recipient.
PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is pushing for clean and sustainability practices at Ramadan bazaars via efforts such as food waste reduction and digital coupons.
Excess food and beverages are collected and distributed to the needy under MBPJ’s “Bakul Bahagianya Ramadan @ PJ 2025”.
At the Kelana Jaya Ramadan bazaar, Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin presented food baskets to 30 underprivileged recipients as part of the MBPJ programme.
With her were Selangor Women’s Welfare and Charity Organisation (Pekawanis) president Datin Seri Masdiana Muhamad, who is also the wife of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
“The programme, done in collaboration with micro-entrepreneurs, hotel operators and corporate companies, aims to reduce food waste by distributing food and beverage donations to mosques, orphanages and communities in need,” MBPJ said in a media statement.
It partnered with Eco Lestari to reduce food waste and increase the recycling rate.
Among the initiatives were a food waste segregation effort and used cooking oil collection programme with cash prizes as incentives.
As of March 10, 512kg of food waste were collected and processed into organic fertiliser, while 511.5kg of cooking oil were successfully recycled.
MBPJ has offered 1,260 trading lots across 18 Ramadan bazaar locations in the city this year.
Close to 100 MBPJ personnel are stationed at all its Ramadan bazaars to monitor aspects such as cleanliness, safety and compliance with guidelines.
“To encourage digital transactions, MBPJ allocated RM30,000 worth of Platform Selangor (PLATS) digital coupons in collaboration with Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated.
“Each coupon worth RM15 can be redeemed at six selected Ramadan bazaars to promote cashless payments.
“As an appreciation to traders who adhere to the concept of a conducive and sustainable bazaar, MBPJ is introducing the ‘Happy and Sustainable’ Micro Entrepreneur Award 2025.
“They will be judged based on criteria such as cleanliness, digitalisation efforts and environment.
“Twenty outstanding traders will receive a cash prize of RM500 each and get the privilege of selecting their stall numbers at next year’s Ramadan bazaar.
“We are also encouraging the gig economy by providing a space for vendors to expand their customer reach through PLATS and food delivery platforms.
“This not only helps vendors increase their income but also provides convenience for users to purchase buka puasa meals online,” the city council stated.
Also present were Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Selangor director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey as well as Selangor executive council members Mohammad Fahmi Ngah and Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who are also the assemblymen for Seri Setia and Bandar Utama respectively.
