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 expressed deep concerns regarding the increasing prevalence of household problems within the nation’s communities.
In a titah delivered last night in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the monarch drew attention to the troubling statistics, revealing that the Family Counselling Service Division at the Syariah Affairs Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), reported a total of 1,952 household complaints over the past three years (spanning from 2020 to 2022). Additionally, from January to June of the current year alone, 384 new cases have emerged.
His Majesty underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasising that this rising trend should not be underestimated but instead necessitates concerted efforts to address it effectively. His Majesty commended the MoRA for its proactive approach in tackling this issue through various initiatives, including pre-solemnisation courses for couples planning to marry, family seminars, and post-marriage courses for married couples, all conducted in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
His Majesty noted that since 2014, briefings on family matters have been conducted at both government and private educational institutions.
“However until today, complaints on household problems continue to increase annually. In my opinion, relevant authorities must be proactive in taking initiatives to tackle household problems by instilling awareness early on consequences if such issue is not tackled immediately. It will affect not only family harmony but also jeopardise the well-being of the nation,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty stressed the pivotal role of parents in educating their children, both before and after marriage, on fostering unity and harmony within families and highlighted the profound influence of parental guidance and blessings in this regard.
On the occasion of Maulidur Rasul, His Majesty urged the nation to strive for blessed family institutions, aligning with the traditions of the Prophet’s (pbuh) family, seeking blessings from Allah the Almighty, and ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the nation.
His Majesty emphasised the critical significance of family as the foundation of society, with happy families serving as the cornerstone of the nation’s development and underscored that joyful families are essential for nurturing quality and devout future generations, making the preservation and promotion of harmonious family institutions the shared responsibility of all citizens.
Concluding the titah, His Majesty noted the significance of celebrating the Maulidur Rasul with acts of goodwill and the avoidance of wrongdoing. He invoked Surah Al-Imran, verse 31, highlighting the importance of following the Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings for individual, familial, communal, and national blessings. In honouring these values and principles, the nation can look forward to a brighter and more harmonious future, His Majesty said. – Azlan Othman
