MIRI: The strength of a nation begins with the strength of its families, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who described the family institution as the backbone of a harmonious society.
Speaking at the Sarawak Islamic Family Discourse 2025 in Miri on Sunday (August 17), she cautioned that rising divorce and domestic violence cases highlight the need to reinforce family support beyond the courts.
“Family is our first school and our strongest shield. If we want a better society, we must begin by strengthening our families,” she said.
Official figures show 7,116 cases of domestic violence were reported nationwide in 2024, up from 5,507 the year before.
In Sarawak, 1,124 Muslim couples divorced last year, with lack of mutual understanding cited as the main factor.
Nancy said syariah should be seen not only as a set of laws but as a foundation for compassion, loyalty and stability within households.
She reminded that the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings on kindness towards family members remain a timeless guide in building happy Muslim homes.
She urged community leaders, educators, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and agencies to act as “agents of change” in supporting family resilience.
Her ministry, she added, has expanded initiatives such as family counselling, enhanced pre-marriage courses, and awareness campaigns through the Talian Kasih helpline.
The event, organised by the Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department, also saw the launch of a Family Support Monitoring Unit, with the distribution of aid and Bakul Sakinah packages.
Present were Sarawak’s Chief Syariah Judge Awang Suhaili Ledi, LPPKN Director-General Abdul Shukur Abdullah, Syariah court judges, and senior government officials.
