What the Malaysian Family needs

IF our leaders are serious about forging what they are calling the “Malaysian Family”, I would like them to consider four fundamental characteristics that I believe are the hallmarks of a real family. These characteristics exist in all good families, and I have tried my best to ensure they exist in mine throughout my learning curve of 36 years of marriage and family life.

I will firstly elucidate the four characteristics and then present four ideas on how to rethink the pedagogy and objectives of teaching in our public schools and religious institutions so that the four characteristics can be incorporated in the Malaysian Family. If we as a nation do not have any one of these characteristics, no amount of money or PR events will ever create family togetherness as a nation.