Put aside your handphones, talk to each other!

The people have once again been reminded not to be so obsessed with their handphones.

The reminder came from Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim who said even family members are not using quality time when they get together, to talk or checking out on each other.

"They prefer to reach out for their handphones to check or reply messages, play games, surf the internet or making calls," she said at her ministry's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here.

Among the guests were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

Rohani said when she went around to greet her guests and well-wishers at the event, she had came across a whole table totally engaged on their handphones instead of talking to each other and the practice was common.

"I know that handphones are very important personal communication tools but people should not let them rule their lives," she said.

She said simple values like always strengthening the family ties through regular close or personal interaction was something that her ministry felt strongly about.

"We want the family institution to be very strong. We also want community bond in a plural society like Malaysia to be equally strong.

"So I hope family members or the society will put aside their handphones when they sit down together for dinner or during big social functions in order to interact," she added.