Malaysians must adopt refined culture in their daily lives - Rais

Malaysians, including those outside the country, should practice refined culture in their daily lives which could be emulated by other societies.

Socio-cultural advisor to the government, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim pointed out that the Japanese and Koreans, for example, had done so and had become role models to the world communities.

"The Japanese and Koreans realise the meaning and truth of the adage of ''bending the shoot before it becomes bamboo'' with regard to cultural practices so as to be loving and concerned, respectful of parents, teachers and the elderly, and possess the love of knowledge and cleanliness.

"All these and much more are taught during early childhood," he said in his keynote address on ''Achieving A Refined Culture In Malaysian Society'' to local and Malaysian students at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), China, recently.

Rais said language played an important role in a life system with refined culture where the language had high elements of humanity that would have a positive impact on a community.

"A language that is able to deliver knowledge can be the lingua franca in business and so on, and subsequently, highly regarded by the international community. -- Bernama