KUCHING – The Kuching Waterfront came alive on Sunday morning as hundreds of residents joined the Apron Walk 2026, an event held in conjunction with World Food Safety Day.
The programme was jointly organised by the Sarawak State Health Department and Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), drawing strong community participation and official support.
The walk, covering a distance of three kilometres, was flagged off by DBKU Director Ramzi bin Abdillah. The event formed part of the Kuching Car Free Morning initiative, encouraging both healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness.
Sarawak State Health Director Dr Veronica Lugah officiated the state-level celebration of World Food Safety Day, which this year carried the global theme “From Burden to Solution: Safe Food Everywhere”.
In her address, she emphasised the department’s commitment to strengthening food safety measures across Sarawak, including closer monitoring of home-based food operators through an official listing system.
Dr Veronica explained that food safety risks are becoming more complex due to global challenges such as climate change.
She stressed that foodborne illnesses are not minor inconveniences but serious issues that can disrupt education, harm livelihoods, and impose heavy economic costs through medical expenses and reduced productivity.
“Foodborne illness is not just a case of a common stomach ache. It is a heavy burden that affects livelihoods, disrupts education, and costs the national economy billions of ringgit due to soaring medical costs and reduced workforce productivity,” she said.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia, through the Food Safety and Quality Division, is intensifying efforts to ensure Sarawak’s food industry meets international standards.
Key initiatives include expanding certification programmes such as HACCP, GMP, and MeSTI, awarding Clean and Safe (BeSS) recognition to food premises that meet hygiene standards, and regulating home-prepared food operators to safeguard consumers.
Dr Veronica urged collective responsibility, noting that food safety must be upheld from farm to fork. She called on all levels of society to play their part in ensuring safe food practices for the benefit of future generations.
By 6.30 am, more than 400 participants had gathered at the waterfront. The highlight came at 7.45 am with the official flag-off of the Apron Walk.
Alongside the walk, attendees enjoyed a range of activities including free health screenings by the Wellness on Wheels team, a food safety exhibition, interactive checkpoints, and lucky draws.
Senior officials from DBKU and the Sarawak State Health Department were present to lend support, including Deputy Directors Mohammad Jefri Crossley, Banges Munga, and Hajjah Nor Anizah binti Haji Osman.
Organisers expressed gratitude to all partners and participants, highlighting the importance of cultivating food safety practices to protect community health.
The Apron Walk 2026 not only celebrated World Food Safety Day but also reinforced Sarawak’s commitment to public health, sustainability, and community engagement.
