Najib wants family well-being index to improve

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today the Malaysian family well-being index had yet to achieve the level of excellence and had to be improved in the effort to establish a prosperous nation.

He said that on a scale of 10, the country's family well-being index was at 7.55 and much more remained to be done to strengthen the family institution.

"The government's responsibility is to determine the direction or choose the best model to be promoted for the country," he said at the launch of the 1Malaysia National Family Month, here.

Also present at the function were Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

Najib said a family's well-being was not dependent only on the per capita income, but encompassed other dimensions of life as well.

He said the government had implemented various programmes through the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, including declaring November as the Family Month.

"As an ongoing commitment, the family month will be celebrated every year and employers, including from the private sector, are encouraged to hold celebrations and the government will give them tax exemption for the purpose," he said.

In efforts to strengthen the family institution, he said, the government had introduced the national family policy, maternity leave, childcare subsidy, childcare centres at work places and the My First Home scheme.

Najib said the government realised that the rising per capita income did not guarantee the well-being and happiness of a family which, he added, must also enjoy security and a harmonious life.