DO you want to pledge to be a vegan for a day? Then do not hesitate to take part in the ‘Meatless Day Campaign’ organised by the Malaysian Meatless Day Campaign Committee held in conjunction with the ‘International Meatless Day’, which is observed annually on Nov 25.
The vegan diet excludes all animal products, such as meat, eggs and dairy.
According to the Malaysian Meatless Day Campaign Committee chairman Datuk Pishu Murli Hassaram, the campaign aims to create awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet.
“When an individual sits down and take a pledge to go meatless for a day, they are actually making a conscious decision. And through this we are planting the seeds of veganism in them.
“Over the years, the meatless day campaign has grown tremendously, and we have always had the support of the state government.
“I can say that Penang is one of the leaders at the international level in promoting the meatless day,’’ he said during a press conference held at Komtar today.
Pishu Murli, who is also the Malaysia Vegan Society vice-president, said the meatless day campaign started way back in 1996, and since then the committee has been proactively promoting vegetarianism nationwide as well as encourage people to take a pledge in becoming a vegan.
“The other grand event is the International Meatless Day Charity Carnival which was launched in 1999.
“The year 2020 was supposed to be our 20th year of organising the event but it came to halt when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.
“Thus, we are being hopeful that we would be able to host such event again some day.
“The purpose of the carnival was firstly, to display all the different types of the vegan cuisine, then secondly to raise fund for charity and finally to promote Penang as the vegetarian paradise.
“Apart from that, we had also worked with the state government to host the 7th South East Asian Vegetarian Congress in 2016 which was a resounding success,’’ he added.
During the press conference, state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, Penang Green Council chairman Josephine Tan, Penang Sentral chief executive officer and principal Dr Chiang Seok Lian, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Khoo Boo Lim and Penang Green Idol 2018 winner David Adrian Stephen pledged to go vegan on Nov 25.
Meanwhile, Phee said the Penang Green Council has been actively advocating issues pertaining to the environmental protection, climate change and other related green agendas, including the implementation of the “urban farming” programme to encourage people to grow vegetables at their own backyard.
“I have done my part by pledging to go meatless for a day on Nov 25. If you can, do it for one whole day, or at least do it for a half day.
“Embracing vegan lifestyle does not only provide health benefits but it also helps to protect our ecosystem,’’ he added.
For those who are interested in pledging to go meatless, they can do so via the Google pledge form https://forms.gle/E8rnAHz5R2yftWFa8 or email to [email protected] or WhatsApp to 0164526132.
For further information, please contact Datuk Pishu Murli Hassaram at 0164526132 or email to [email protected]
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis