Berita

Sr. Siti Maryam Hafit

The problem of poor students having to starve or eat less will end soon when the national food bank initiative targeting to help some 20,000 is rolled out in 20 public universities by the end of the year (The Star, 2019). Hence, in line with the government’s vision, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is going to initiate the Food Bank program which is expected to be implemented on October 10, 2019, with the presence of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who will be expected to attend the launch ceremony.

Food Bank Malaysia Programme was launched in August 2018 with the goal to help students from low-income (B40) group or poor family and in need students to have access to one of the basic needs which is food. Food Bank also aimed to control food surplus and reduce wastage from the retail industry such as hypermarkets, supermarkets and food producers, where unsold food surplus that are still in good condition and ready for consumption will be distributed to the needy.

Personally, I think this initiative is an excellent idea as one of the solutions to cater to less fortunate students’ needs in terms of food. It can more or less benefit the student financially, as well as promotes tolerance and mutual help among IIUM communities by sharing the blessings with each other. Student’s Representative Council should also work side by side with the University to make this initiative a successful one in ensuring student’s necessity is fulfilled. In consequence, various actions have been taken by the students themselves to curb this issue. One of them is Mahabbah Food Coupon program that was implemented in 2016, with the objective to provide free meals for needy students. Hopefully, this Food Bank program will at least help ease the burden and benefit the less fortunate students in carrying out their life throughout the studies in IIUM.