Malaysians Urged to Practise Moderation and Reduce Waste Amid Uncertain Global Economy
PETALING JAYA, March 15 — Malaysians have been encouraged to adopt more responsible consumption habits and avoid unnecessary waste as part of preparations for potential economic challenges in the future.
Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said food wastage, particularly during Ramadan, remains a major concern and reflects the need for greater awareness among the public.
According to figures presented during a Cabinet meeting, around 12,000 metric tonnes of food waste are produced within the month of Ramadan every year.
Ramanan described the figure as alarming, noting that such levels of waste indicate the need for a shift in public attitudes toward consumption and spending.
“Producing such a large amount of food waste within just one month is something we must seriously reflect on. It highlights the need for more responsible food management and spending habits,” he said during the Ziarah MADANI Ihya Ramadan programme in Petaling Jaya.
He emphasised that global conditions remain uncertain due to geopolitical tensions and ongoing international conflicts, which could potentially disrupt food and energy supplies.
In light of these uncertainties, Ramanan said Malaysians should begin adopting a more cautious and disciplined approach toward resource management.
Although Malaysia’s economy is currently performing well and the ringgit has shown encouraging progress, he stressed that future economic conditions remain unpredictable.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. The global situation can change quickly, and we must always be prepared,” he said.
Ramanan clarified that there is no restriction on celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, but celebrations should be conducted in a moderate and responsible manner.
According to him, festive gatherings should not lead to excessive spending or food wastage.
He also suggested that Malaysia could take inspiration from energy conservation initiatives introduced by neighbouring Thailand.
Among the measures implemented in Thailand are encouraging workers to use stairs instead of elevators to save electricity.
The country has also implemented guidelines requiring office air-conditioning systems to be set at 26 degrees Celsius to reduce energy consumption.
In addition, certain sectors have adopted work-from-home arrangements to minimise fuel usage, including petrol and diesel.
Ramanan said such initiatives demonstrate how governments can promote responsible resource usage while raising awareness about sustainability.
He also emphasised that leaders must lead by example by practising moderation in their own lifestyles.
In the context of festive celebrations, he advised against organising overly extravagant open house events that may result in unnecessary waste.
Instead, he encouraged Malaysians to channel resources toward assisting vulnerable communities such as asnaf families and orphaned children.
“Helping those in need would be far more meaningful than spending excessively on celebrations that lead to waste,” he said.
During the same programme, Ramanan also presented donations totalling RM20,000 to three orphanages and a tahfiz centre.
The contributions reflect the government’s continued commitment to supporting disadvantaged communities and encouraging a culture of compassion within Malaysian society.
He expressed hope that such initiatives would inspire more individuals and organisations to contribute to charitable causes, especially during Ramadan and the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations.
-wilayah.com.my
