Vending
Malaysia installs vending machines to provide free food, necessities
April 10, 2023
Vending machines have been installed in a Malaysia city to provide 24-hour access to free food and other necessities to residents under a three-month pilot project, according to a report in thestar.com.
Jamaliah Jamaluddin, a Bandar Utama assemblyman, said 100 residents in Petaling Jaya will be credited with RM100 ($22.67) in an e-wallet monthly to purchase products from the machines, including non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and medicine.
Residents will access the funds using a PIN sent to their mobile phones.
After 30 days, unused credits will transfer to other recipients.
The assemblyman's office allocated RM30,000 ($6,801.95) for the project in collaboration with Allegra Technologies Sdn Bhd, a social enterprise that installed similar vending machines in Kuala Lumpur.
Residents will also receive health consultation after scanning a QR code on the vending machines.
