Arthur (third left) at the pre-launching of the MyFood 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre today.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has officially pre-launched the MyFood 2026 programme in collaboration with Opulence Exhibition Services, setting the stage for a national push toward healthier, locally sourced eating habits through the global “slow food” movement.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, officiated the ceremony today at HPPNK (Hari Peladang, Penternak dan Nelayan Kebangsaan) in Sabah International Convention Centre, a strategic lead-up to the main MyFood 2026 exhibition scheduled for 7-9 May 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
“Although MyFood will be held next year in KLCC, Opulence made the decision to partner with the Ministry as a strategic ally and chose HPPNK as the venue for this pre-launch. We fully support MyFood’s agenda, which is centred around the slow food concept,” said Arthur during the event.
The slow food philosophy, a counterpoint to fast food, advocates for nutritious, unprocessed and locally sourced meals. According to the him, this is a concept deeply rooted in traditional village lifestyles, but one that has diminished with the pressures of modern urbanisation and industrialisation.
“In the past, our grandparents practised these principles naturally, eating what they grew. But as society moved toward urban lifestyles, we’ve often traded in health for convenience.
“The slow food movement is about reclaiming that balance,” he explained.
When asked about the role of young people in rural areas, Arthur noted that these communities are well-positioned to spearhead a grassroots revival of slow food practices.
He pointed out two main advantages: lifestyle and access to natural resources.
“In rural areas, people still plant rice and vegetables around their homes. This lifestyle allows for the slow food movement to flourish more naturally than in urban settings, where space constraints often hinder such practices,” he said.
However, he acknowledged the need for innovation in cities, including hydroponics and vertical farming, to bring fresh, healthy food to urban residents.
Arthur also highlighted new government funding to bolster the country’s food ecosystem. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced an allocation of RM29 million to the Ministry, aimed at reinforcing the agricultural value chain, from cultivation and processing to marketing and export.
“If we can strengthen this value chain, we can deliver fresher, higher-quality food to more remote areas, benefiting communities nationwide,” he said.
The Ministry and Opulence Exhibition Services are now gearing up for the MyFood 2026 event in KLCC, expected to be a major milestone in promoting sustainable, healthy and locally driven food systems in Malaysia.