Spend time with family while they're still alive - Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today called on all Malaysians to spend as much time as possible with their families while they are still alive.

He said although they might not see each other face to face, there were telephones and social media applications, such as WhatsApp and Skype, that could be used to stay connected.

"The fact is, at the end of our daily lives, none of us wants to spend even a little more of our time in the office. Instead, we all want to spend every minute with our families," he said in his latest entry on family ties in his blog, www.najibrazak.com today.

Najib also admitted that he himself hardly got the chance to be with his family due to his tight schedule, especially with various visits, community events, meetings, project launch and the recently concluded Sarawak election.

"If possible, I would love to spend more time with my children, my wife and my family, but as the prime minister, the people are also part of my big family who deserve my attention," he said.

Najib said the welfare and well-being of elderly parents should also be taken care of by the children no matter how busy they were.

"I'm very lucky because my mother is still alive and healthy. Alhamdulillah (All praise be to Allah). My children are all grown up and lively. My family are happy," he added.