KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) will continue its initiative to fund courses focused on family development and parenting for employees using employer levy contributions, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the effort is in support of the National Family Month celebration.
“I fully support this initiative and hope more employers will send their employees to attend family development and parenting skills courses.
“This offer is available throughout November this year,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the launch of the November Malaysian Family Month 2024, themed “Kasih Keluarga, Jiwa Madani”.
The Prime Minister’s speech was read by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the event held at the Kuala Lumpur Botanical Gardens yesterday, Bernama reported.
Anwar emphasised the importance of family time and announced a strategic collaboration with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to implement special vacation packages for families throughout this month.
This includes offers from tourism agencies, hotels, homestays, theme park associations and traders.
He also suggested that airlines could participate by offering family packages to any family holiday destination.
In addition, Anwar said he hopes that all ministries and state governments would also support November as National Family Month.
He said family day activities in every ministry and government agency should also become a mandatory annual event every November.
He strongly encouraged the private sector, NGOs and communities to implement family welfare programmes according to their respective capacities.
“I would like to remind you that employers who carry out family days and family activities at the workplace are eligible for tax relief.
“You can contact the Inland Revenue Board for further clarification on this matter,” he said.
At the same time, Anwar said that families in Malaysia are currently facing various challenges influenced by rapid social, educational, economic and technological changes.
Global megatrends such as demographic changes, including the ageing population and declining fertility rates, as well as climate change, are having a significant impact on family institutions worldwide.
“These changes require action from all levels of society to work together to help strengthen family institutions in order to build a Madani family that is stronger, more resilient and prosperous.
“Therefore, the government is giving its assurance that through the Madani Malaysia Development Agenda, efforts will continue to elevate the status of family institutions,” he said.
Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and her deputy Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
