Malaysia: Consider allotment gardens
The recent hike in food prices has riled up the populace and exposed the nation’s lack of food security.
By Koo Wee Hon
Letter to the Star
June 21, 2022
Excerpt:
Here in Malaysia, the land under electricity pylons is usually vacant. These would be ideal for allotment gardens, and they are everywhere in urban and rural areas. Local authorities and pylon owner TNB (Tenaga Nasional Bhd) should work together to parcel out the vacant land for allotment gardens.
Rules on lot size, height of trees if allowed and purpose of use must be set. Rent should be reasonable and include recovery costs for land preparation and provision of basic infrastructure by the authorities.
Priority must be given to the nearby poor and those living in low-cost flats. This will help this sector of people save money, have better nutrition and have a place for exercise and fresh air. Some may even grow excess and supplement their income. Over time, a community spirit will evolve with the exchange of knowledge, seeds and produce.
Security should be dealt with independently by the allotment owners, and as this is a common good, each individual community will know best.
This is a great opportunity to set right some pressing concerns: It addresses the plight of the poor in terms of space, health, finance and community, and for the nation, food security.
