McDonald's Malaysia Provides One Million Food Packs For IPT Students

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14  (Bernama) -- McDonald's Malaysia today launched the “Santun Pelajar” programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting students of institutions of higher learning (IPT) facing difficulties in accessing basic necessities during their studies.

The programme targets the distribution of one million food packs to students in need by the end of 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen food security among the student community.

For the initial phase, 50,000 food packs are being distributed in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.

McDonald’s Malaysia Managing Director and Local Operating Partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar said the initiative was introduced to assist IPT students affected by the rising cost of living.

“This programme is implemented based on feedback and various studies, including a 2020 study by the Nutrition Society of Malaysia titled Financial Problems Associated with Food Insecurity among Public University Students in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The study found that 60 per cent of public university students face food insecurity. It is deeply concerning that students in our country are still experiencing such hardships,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the launch of the programme here today.MCDONALD-IPT  

Also present were Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Director (Higher Education Division)  Siti Aminah Abdul Kadir, McDonald’s Malaysia Senior Vice-President and Chief Impact Officer Melati Abdul Hai, as well as lecturers and student representatives from participating institutions.

Azmir said that under the initial phase, McDonald’s Malaysia has handed over Nasi Mekdi vouchers to representatives from 20 IPTs in 11 states. The vouchers allow students to redeem meals every Monday to Friday at selected outlets near their campuses from Feb 19 to March 10.

He added that the vouchers can be redeemed between 9 pm and midnight to help avoid peak-hour congestion.

To ensure the assistance reaches the target group, the selection process is fully managed by the Student Affairs Department of the respective institutions, based on established data and allocated quotas.

Azmir said the company has committed an estimated RM5 million for the long-term implementation of the programme, funded through operational efficiencies and supply chain optimisation.

“Our goal is to expand this programme to 75 IPTs nationwide. We want to ensure that the cost of food is no longer a barrier for students to focus on their studies and realise their full potential,” he said.

Meanwhile, a student from Kolej Profesional MARA Indera Mahkota, Pahang, Muhammad Syuwari Md Noh, 20, described the initiative as a lifeline for students facing financial hardship.

“Sometimes students only eat once a day, and some even skip meals entirely due to financial constraints. I truly appreciate this effort as it helps ease our burden,” he said.

He added that the Nasi Mekdi set, comprising rice, potato curry, eggs, McD Spicy Chicken Tenders and iced lemon tea, is both filling and nutritious for students.

Nurul Athirah Abdul Razab, 23, from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), said the programme helps ease the financial strain on students coping with the high cost of campus life.

“Besides food, I also have to cover transportation, internet data and other daily expenses. With this programme, it helps reduce my overall spending,” she said.

--BERNAMA