‘There is no excuse for neglecting one’s parents’
SERDANG: Caring for ageing parents must be the priority of every child, said social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said Malaysians should make efforts to build a caring society, which was willing to help the needy and less fortunate.
Lee said the younger generation must learn to appreciate their parents and care for them as they aged.
“No matter how busy you are, you have a responsibility to take care of your elders. There is no excuse for neglecting our parents,” he said, adding that a strong family institution was built on values taught from young.
He said many Malaysians, in their pursuit of success, neglected to help the poor and needy.
Lee, who is Maha Karuna Foundation patron, said Malaysians should make an effort to be involved in charity, especially the ones that benefited senior citizens abandoned by their children.
“Civilisation and progress are not just measured through the gross national product and technological capacity.
“They are also measured through the development of the human conscience and response when faced by human suffering.”
Lee said the Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme launched yesterday served to lift the spirits of senior citizens and show gratitude for all their sacrifices.
“We want them to feel respected and appreciated, while we try to ease their financial burden through donations.
“We urge corporate firms to contribute,” Lee said after handing out groceries to about 1,500 senior citizens, aged 65 and above, at the 14th Senior Citizens Appreciation celebration at Bodhi Dharma Vihara in Bandar Damai Perdana here yesterday.