PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
BERNAS Extends Healthy Food Programme To Pahang
In an effort to address malnutrition among Orang Asli children
KUALA KOYAN, 28 FEBRUARY 2025 – Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) has extended its Healthy Food Programme (Program Makanan Kesihatan, “PROMAK”) to Pahang to ensure that primary school children receive balanced meals that meet all nutritional needs during the crucial early stages of growth and development.
PROMAK BERNAS' journey to four schools in Pahang, including the first ever initiative at an Orang Asli school, has benefited more than 1,500 students who have received free lunches since October last year.
“The mission of PROMAK is to ensure that every student has access to balanced meals at school, allowing them to stay healthy and be better prepared for learning,” said Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, Chairman of BERNAS, during the PROMAK state-level launch ceremony at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Koyan today.
The PROMAK Pahang was officially launched by YAB Dato’ Sri Diraja Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, the Menteri Besar of Pahang.
PROMAK was launched in January 2022 and is a strategic partnership between corporate sectors and government agencies. BERNAS works closely with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to drive the national agenda to combat malnutrition among primary school students across the country.
Through PROMAK’s integrated efforts, more than 20,000 primary school students from 97 schools across five selected states — Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and now Pahang — have benefited from the programme. To date, over 9 million nutritious and balanced lunches worth RM6 per meal have been provided to primary school students from low-income, underprivileged families and those categorised under the B40 group throughout the school term.
“Providing lunch through this initiative is an excellent way to encourage the Orang Asli students to attend school daily. BERNAS' proactive approach through this programme also helps to raise awareness among parents and students on the importance of a balanced nutrition before the effects of malnutrition become more severe,” said Azhar Teh, Headmaster of SK Kuala Koyan.
He also pointed out that several studies indicate that 70–80% of Orang Asli children suffer from malnutrition or stunted growth during their school years.
Data from the SEGAK assessment for students participating in PROMAK has revealed positive impacts on weight, height and school attendance since the programme was introduced. SEGAK is a standardised physical fitness test introduced by the MOE to measure students' fitness levels based on health indicators.
In line with BERNAS’ ongoing commitment to creating a lasting impact on communities, BERNAS aims to pioneer the advocacy of healthy and balanced nutrition through PROMAK, ensuring that students receive one nutritious meal at a time.
BERNAS also supports the Government’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, particularly Goal 2.2, which focuses on eradicating all forms of malnutrition, through the implementation of PROMAK.
About BERNAS
Established in 1994, BERNAS assumed the pivotal role of custodian for Malaysian paddy and rice, succeeding the corporatised Lembaga Padi dan Beras Negara (LPN). With over three decades of dedicated service, BERNAS has emerged as a cornerstone in Malaysia's paddy and rice industry, earning recognition as a steadfast partner in promoting food security and sustainability.
At the heart of our mission is the enduring slogan, "Nourishing the Nation," epitomizing our unwavering commitment to delivering premier products and services to our homeland. Grounded in the principles of Integrity, Customer Focus, and Teamwork, we uphold our responsibilities with utmost dedication, harmonizing the needs of all stakeholders and maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout our comprehensive supply chain.