KUALA LUMPUR: DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok has called the government to reinvigorate its commitment to sustainable consumption and production as well as making significant strides towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Teresa, in a posting on Facebook in conjunction with the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, said Malaysia stands at a critical juncture, facing the urgent need to tackle its staggering food waste problem.
"The theme of this year's event, 'Reducing food loss and waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems', resonates strongly with the alarming statistics concerning food waste in the country.
"According to a report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released in April this year, Malaysians waste a staggering 8.3 million metric tonnes of food annually, with each individual contributing 259.82kg to this troubling statistic.
"Regrettably, Malaysia finds itself at the forefront of global food waste, surpassing even Israel and Greece. This dubious distinction is nothing to be proud of," she wrote.
She said that in the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Malaysia ranked 58th out of 121 countries and was labelled as 'moderate'.
"This is perplexing, given that there are still impoverished Malaysians who go to bed hungry and, in some tragic cases, resort to rummaging through landfills for sustenance."
Teresa, who is also the Seputeh member of Parliament (MP), added that the Covid-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call to the nation regarding the scale of food consumption by households.
"As the country entered lockdown, the government's ineffective handling of food aid, or 'bakul makanan', triggered the 'bendera putih' or white flag campaign, where kind-hearted Malaysians created apps and systems to ensure that no fellow Malaysian would go hungry.
With just seven years left to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals, she reiterated that Malaysia must take the matter of food waste seriously.
"Malaysia must consider the needs of industry players in the market, reduce food loss, and manage waste effectively.
"Examples from around the world, such as France's ban on food waste in grocery stores, Germany's packaging law, and Japan's food recycling initiatives, provide valuable lessons for Malaysia to emulate.
She added that more can be accomplished, beginning with initiating conversations in schools, promoting sustainable home-grown produce, community farming projects, and a nationwide campaign to minimise food loss and improve waste management.
"As we look forward to the 2024 Budget, it is imperative that the government prioritise food loss and waste as a means to safeguard food security and reduce food loss," she said.