AYER KEROH, March 18- A total of 9.2 tonnes of surplus food from 99 Ramadan Bazaars that were still safe to eat from six states were successfully collected and distributed to the needy as of March 12.

Chief Executive Officer of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) Khalid Mohamed said the initiative was implemented through SWCorp's My Save Food @Ramadan project to reduce food waste during the month of Ramadan.

"Last year, a total of 60.7 tonnes of surplus food worth RM700,026 was successfully collected from 149 Ramadan Bazaars in states under SWCorp's concession. This year, we expect almost the same amount," he said.

He said this after the Melaka state My Save Food programme at the MITC Ramadan Bazaar here yesterday.

In Melaka, SWCorp successfully collected 4.8 tonnes of surplus food from four Ramadan Bazaars, namely the MITC Ramadan Bazaar, Peringgit Ramadan Bazaar, Jasin Bistari Ramadan Bazaar and Pasar Menggong Ramadan Bazaar, Alor Gajah.

It is hoped that this effort will help reduce waste and benefit those in need throughout Ramadan.