What A Waste collecting unsold food from the USJ4 Ramadan bazaar to be distributed to welfare homes and B40 communities in Subang Jaya last year. — Filepic
THE Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) plans to channel unsold food from five Ramadan bazaars in the city to the poor.
“We will continue the initiative at the USJ4 Ramadan bazaar done last year and expand to four other locations,” said MBSJ Licensing Department director Nik Zalina Megat.
Last year, MBSJ collaborated with What A Waste (WAW), a social enterprise that rescues surplus food and distributes it to marginalised communities.
The excess unsold food was given to B40 communities and welfare homes located close to the bazaar site at Jalan USJ 4/5.
Nik Zalina said there would be an increase in the number of trading lots and traders at this year’s Ramadan bazaars.
“There are 1,560 trading lots and 1,167 traders this year, compared to 1,508 trading lots and 1,144 traders last year,” she said, adding that there would be 25 locations across six zones this time around.
“Streamlining measures have also been implemented for better site management and traffic flow.
“For example, the Puchong Prima Ramadan bazaar was relocated from Jalan Prima 5/1 to Jalan Prima 1 to address traffic flow problems.”
Nik Zalina said traders who were unsuccessful in getting a spot at their preferred locations would be allowed to appeal and take up available lots at other locations.
Subang Jaya deputy mayor Zulkurnain Che Ali said MBSJ was making an effort to legalise and offer licences to roadside stalls in villages during the Ramadan period to better manage such traders, especially in terms of traffic.
Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the city council would continue implementing the same guidelines and initiatives at all Ramadan bazaars under its purview.
These included banning polystyrene packaging and plastic straws, encouraging customers to bring their own food containers and ensuring no structures such as tents and tables were left overnight by traders.
They were speaking after MBSJ’s first full board meeting for 2024, which was held at the council’s headquarters in USJ5, Subang Jaya.
Mohd Fauzi also announced that MBSJ’s first Car-Free Day programme yesterday was held at a new location – Taman Komuniti Putra Heights in Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/4, Putra Heights.
“We want to do it at a new location to reach out to different communities,” he said.
MBSJ’s other Car-Free Day programmes are scheduled for May 12, Aug 4 and Oct 20.
