Creative Healthy Menus Tackle Rising Costs and Food Safety Challenges

18 April 2026

PUTATAN: Local communities in Sabah are urged to boost creativity in preparing healthy meals to combat escalating living costs and ensure food safety amid global economic pressures.

Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shah Alfie Yahya (SAY) emphasised that incorporating healthy options into daily routines addresses food safety concerns while curbing runaway expenses.

"Healthy menus need not be expensive; they simply require community creativity to shift from conventional habits," he stated during the launch of the State-Level Healthy Unity Menu Programme at Taman Pantai Lok Kawi's Rukun Tetangga centre.

Organised by the Taman Pantai Lok Kawi Rukun Tetangga Centre, the event promotes using fresh local ingredients, from seafood to highland vegetables, to support the circular community economy and foster natural national integration.

"When we buy from neighbours of different ethnicities, integration happens organically," SAY noted.

Also present were Sabah Department of National Unity and Integration director Rina Abd Harun, Tanjung Keramat community development leader Latip Jiar, and Tanjung Keramat community development officer Syed Arizal Karim.

SAY, who chairs Perkasa Trading Sdn Bhd, called on all Rukun Tetangga areas and unity machinery across Sabah to adopt healthy menus as routine activities.

He highlighted their appeal to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, encouraging appreciation of modified traditional dishes.

"The dining table has always bridged differences, we eat together, share recipes, and respect each other's cultures," he added.

The initiative promotes balanced nutrition to reduce non-communicable disease burdens in 2026.