| Azlan Othman |
BRUNEI, known for its cherished family values, is witnessing a worrying trend – the number divorce cases is growing rapidly.
The Syariah Court of Appeal recorded 524 cases last year, a jump compared to the 259 in 2014 and 460 in 2013, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, in his speech at the meeting of the executive committee for the 2016 Family Day celebrations at the ministry yesterday.
Brunei is slated to mark the auspicious day on May 1.
The minister also said the rise in number of “hard to control” teenagers was also disturbing.
According to the Community Development Department, 42 cases of ‘hard to control teenagers’ were recorded last year, 38 cases in 2014, 27 in 2013 and 37 in 2012.
“Like other countries, our community is also not exempted from social problems caused by the fragmentation of a family institution.
“Divorce cases, domestic violence, negligence of family and the elderly, immoral acts by teenagers are the manifestations of a weakening family institution,” the minister said.
“The nation was recently shocked to hear about several incidents of domestic violence and negligence cases that went viral on social media.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof delivering his speech
Senior government officers at the meeting. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
“There have been cases of child abuse by drug addict parents, neglect of physically challenged children and abandonment of babies.
“Although the perpetrators have been brought to justice and innocent victims given protection, we should ask ourselves whether the preventive programmes we have implemented so far proved to be effective or otherwise, he said.
Reactive actions will not improve or reduce today’s challenging social problems, the minister pointed out, adding that it is timely the National Council against Social Issues gives direction for the celebration of National Family Day this year to be reviewed with special focus on family values that cover the prosperity and role of a family.
“Social problems arising due to a weak family institution is a national issue, and as such the responsibility (to resolve the problems) must be shouldered together. The National Family Day celebration is a preventive mechanism that can be used to reflect the commitment of all levels of the society, including corporate social responsibility. This is in line with the ‘whole of nation’ and ‘whole of society’ approach and in tune with the Brunei Vision 2035.”
The Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has allocated $250,000 to strengthen the family institution programme, which indicates that consolidating the family institution will contribute to nation building, the minister said.
This is the fifth year the nation marks the National Family Day to reflect that the Sultanate emphasises living in a family based on love, respect and strong religious values, he said, adding that family institution plays an important role in improving the prosperity and welfare of the community, and contribute towards peace and development of the nation.
“Over the past years, Family Day celebrations have received positive response. Families hold gatherings in a big way with joyous activities to instill the spirit of unity and harmony. In short, the Family Day establishes a society that is united, caring, concerned and contributes to the prosperity of the nation,” the minister said.
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