Kota Kinabalu: More companies and organisations are encouraged to join the government’s food rescue efforts through the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative, which aims to assist vulnerable communities, reduce food waste and support environmental sustainability.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry is inviting industry players and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to become official strategic partners in strengthening Food Bank programmes nationwide.
He said the i-FB initiative provides a structured platform for businesses to fulfil their environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments while supporting communities in need.
Those interested in becoming official strategic partners may submit their applications to the i-FB Secretariat, coordinated through the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) under the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
“The initiative provides a conducive ecosystem to facilitate participation by any interested party.
“Many industries are encouraged or expected to undertake ESG-related initiatives, and this is one programme that is already available for participation. We have created a complete ecosystem that makes it easier for them to get involved,” he said at a press conference after launching the i-FB@KFC programme, here, Sunday.
Persatuan Sayangi Kanak-Kanak Sabah, patronised by Datin Seri Juliah Salag, wife of the Chief Minister, brought 50 children from underprivileged families to receive food assistance during the event. Armizan also presented grants to 10 NGOs and institutions participating in the i-FB initiative.
Also present were KPDN secretary-general Datuk Roziah Abudin, KPDN director-general Datuk Azman Adam, KFC Malaysia, Brunei and Cambodia head Loi Liang Tok, QSR Brands chief brand officer Ridzwan Othman and senior ministry officials.
Armizan said the i-FB initiative, introduced in December 2025, represents a new approach to strengthening the Malaysia Food Bank Programme through three core objectives: Caring for Communities, Caring for the Environment and Saving Food.
“Through i-FB, we can enhance the implementation of the Malaysia Food Bank Programme in a more systematic, inclusive and effective manner nationwide, involving not only government agencies but also industry players, the private sector and NGOs, thereby creating a conducive and sustainable ecosystem,” he said.
He said the initiative also seeks to nurture compassion and empathy within society by encouraging broader participation in assisting vulnerable groups through food aid distribution.
“This i-FB approach not only helps those in need gain access to food supplies but also eases the cost-of-living burden on Malaysians, particularly in terms of daily food expenses.
“The initiative also places emphasis on raising public awareness about the importance of managing surplus food to prevent it from becoming solid waste that negatively impacts the environment,” he said.
Armizan noted that rising food waste contributes to higher waste management costs, increases demand for landfill sites and affects environmental quality.
As such, he said the initiative encourages the public to recognise that surplus food which remains safe for consumption can be utilised to assist those in need rather than being discarded.
“i-FB also focuses on expanding the food rescue movement through the more active involvement of communities, NGOs and the private sector, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which targets halving food waste at both industry and consumer levels by 2030.
“A study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) found that approximately one-third of all food produced globally, equivalent to 1.3 billion metric tonnes, is wasted every year,” he said.
