THE Johor government plans to revamp programmes to strengthen family values among youth and tackle rising social issues.
State women, family and community development committee chairman Hasrunizah Hassan said the initiative would include reviewing existing pre-marriage courses and introducing programmes targeting couples at different stages of marriage.
She said the courses would cater to couples preparing for marriage, those in their first five to 10 years of marriage and those married for more than 10 years.
“We want to strengthen family institutions and reintroduce strong values among the current generation,” she said during a press conference after launching the Ratu 2026 programme at a hotel in Johor Baru.
Hasrunizah said rapid advances in information technology and social media had brought many benefits, but also posed challenges to passing on traditional values within families and society.
“We cannot deny that we are progressing, especially in terms of information technology and social media.
“However, we may be falling behind when it comes to instilling values within families and society,” she said.
Hasrunizah said issues involving youth, including those taking shortcuts when facing difficulties and cases of baby dumping, highlighted the need for stronger family support and guidance.
She added that the influence of gadgets and social media content was affecting the younger generation and shaping their attitudes and values.
“The state government hopes these efforts can help nurture positive values among young people and reinforce family institutions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hasrunizah said the Ratu 2026 programme was aimed at empowering women and strengthening families by providing practical support and economic opportunities.
She said Ratu, introduced in 2025, reflected a shared commitment to inclusive growth by helping women improve their livelihoods while contributing to stronger families and more resilient communities.
Hasrunizah said the initiative was a strategic partnership complementing the state government’s efforts to build a more inclusive, resilient and opportunity-driven society.
She said the acronym Ratu stood for rintis (pioneer), aspirasi (aspiration), tegar (resilient) and unggul (superior).
“These values embody the spirit we hope to nurture among the women in this programme.
“They include individuals who are ready to pioneer new possibilities, pursue their aspirations, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and emerge as outstanding contributors to their families, communities and the Johor economy.”
The event was jointly organised by Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port Bhd, Johor Port Authority and Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Darul Ta’zim.
