Coming together as family

Coming together to celebrate the family must be one of the best reasons to hold an event and that was what a few hundred people did recently in City One Megamall Kuching, Sarawak. 

Named ‘1Malaysia National Family Month’ (1MNFM), November is the month selected by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community to recognise the importance of the family unit in a society. The National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) which was the main organizer for the national launch of ‘1Malaysia National Family Month’ (1MNFM) 2015, hopes that it will be celebrated nationwide by both the private and public sector yearly.

The national celebration was held at a City One Megamall Kuching, Sarawak filled with educational and interesting family fun activities with a carnival-like atmosphere, from exhibitions, karaoke, demonstrations and interactive games. The Sarawak Chief Minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu was the guest of honour and the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim was in attendance along with various government agencies and family related NGOs.

The emphasis during the celebration was on five family core values – love, moral, health, safety and harmony (KASIH) to augment happiness in the family.

In her speech, the Chief Minister’s wife stressed on the importance of ‘1Malaysia National Family Month’ (1MNFM) to strengthen family bonding as family dysfunction and divorce is on the rise. She also said that a strong, resilient family institution is critical for ensuring the development of a country and hence the launching of ‘1Malaysia National Family Month’ (1MNFM).

The Minister, Dato’ Sri Rohani also spoke on organizing activities that help to strengthen family bonding, especially for senior citizens as too often, they faced loneliness.

Many families were also seen at the event which included programs for children and parents. Among those who attended the event was Rubiah Epit, 54, a clerk and mother of five. “I really welcome such an event as it reminds us of the importance of the family,” she said. She added that as a mother of 5 adult sons, all unmarried, it would be good for them to learn about the five family core values to prepare themselves when they do get married.

 “I hope that LPPKN will continue to hold this event yearly as it is important, especially for young people. Society is changing, and as the Chief Minister’s wife said, divorce is rising. Hence, November being set aside as Family Month by the government will remind us how central the family is in our community,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sharon Chew, a 45 year old mother of 2 teenage girls and 2 young boys was also happy with the event. “My two boys had a great time and I learnt a lot on family harmony. The exhibitions were interesting and informative as I didn’t realise there are government agencies that can provide counselling, for the young and also for parents. I hope that LPPKN will receive more support from the private sector for ‘1Malaysia National Family Month’ (1MNFM) can be a month for Malaysian families to come together and celebrate with each other,” she added.