In recent times, there has been a worrying increase in the number of ‘Beyond Parental Control’ (under 18 years) cases referred to the Department of Community Development.

Fifteen cases were recorded in 2011. By 2014, this figure had doubled to 38.

Meanwhile, the number of divorce cases among Muslims and non-Muslims has also increased to 502 cases in 2013 as compared to 475 in 2011, according to the Brunei Statistical Yearbook.

To remind families on the importance of strengthening family values, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Religious Affairs will jointly host the National Family Day Celebration 2015 on Sunday, May 3, across nine zones nationwide.

Details of the celebrations were revealed at a press conference by Acting Assistant Director of Community Development Department (Family Development, Women and Children Division) Siti Zaharah binti Haji Abdul Razak.

In the Brunei-Muara District, the celebration will be marked in four zones – at Taman Rekreasi Menteri Besar with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque; Dermaga Diraja with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque; Bio-Innovation Corridor Tungku with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at the RIPAS Mosque in Rimba and Kg Parit Mini Recreational Park with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at the Kg Pengkalan Batu Mosque.

In the Tutong District, the celebration will be held in two zones – Tatangan Persiaran Sungai Tutong with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Mukim Pekan Tutong; and Bukit Beruang Recreational Park with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at Perpindahan Bukit Beruang Mosque.

For Belait District residents, the celebration will be observed at Liang Lumut Recreation Club with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at Zainab Mosque; and at Padang Bandaran in Jalan Sultan with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque.

There is only one zone for Temburong District, being Utama Bumiputera Complex – Dermaga Pekan Bangar area, with Sembahyang Fardhu Subuh Berjemaah at the Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar.

The launch of the celebration will be marked with mass Maghrib prayers, Sunnat Hajat prayers, Isyak prayers, recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Thahlil and Doa at all mosques, suraus and ‘balai ibadat’ nationwide on Saturday night with the main ceremony to be held at Suni Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Kampong Manggis/Madang.

“Similar with last year’s celebration, there will be various activities that will cater to families and in line with the religious month of Rejab. The objective of the National Family Day celebration is to strengthen the values of family institutions in the country,” she said.

Touching on the cases that the Department of Community Development has recorded, she said, “We need a balanced life in work and family. The immediate effects of a lack of attention/care for a child may not show now, but can be damaging in the long-term.

“When children reached the age of 12 and above, the impact will show,” she said, adding that the reason for lack of care/ attention for children is attributed to busy workload.

“Children will then look for attention from the cyberworld, without parental guidance. A majority of parents will blame the Internet and cyber space for damaging the family institution,” she explained.

A family institution can also break because of financial problems, she said, explaining that “there are instances where the head of a family does not have good financial management, spending most of his income on wants instead of needs”. ©BRUDIRECT.COM