The Star Malaysia

FT mufti looking forward to work with govt on social ills

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PUTRAJAYA: Federal Territorie­s Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri is looking forward to working with the government to find holistic solutions to handle social problems affecting youths.

Dr Zulkifli, who met Women, Family and Community Developmen­t Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh and Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Steven Sim, said the country would be stronger when everyone worked together.

“A country like Malaysia, with its multicultu­ral background, can become strong when people of all races and religions come together and joined forces,” he said after the meeting.

The deputy ministers had sought Dr Zulkifli’s advice on problems affecting youths and held discussion­s on how their ministries could collaborat­e with the mufti’s office.

Yeoh said she shared data from her ministry on underage pregnancie­s, mental health problems, baby dumping, marriage and divorce.

These social problems affect people of all races and religions.

“The welfare portfolio under our ministry covers people of all background­s. Our biggest concern is when it affects our younger generation.

“Moving forward, we hope we can work with the mufti’s office on rehabilita­tion programmes,” she said.

Yeoh added she constantly has engagement­s with various leaders and groups representi­ng different religions in the country to discuss social issues.

Meanwhile Sim said his ministry is also seeking input from the mufti’s office on its upcoming Malaysian Future Leader School Programme (MFLS).

MFLS is set to replace the National Service and the Biro Tatanegara programmes and will start next year.

Sim said his ministry would be working with the mufti’s office on how to include aspects of harmony, honesty and trustworth­iness into the programme.

“The programme is designed to shape the future of leaders and these are important values they must have,” said Sim.

 ??  ?? Meeting of minds: Yeoh talking to Dr Zulkifli to discuss solutions for social ills among youths.
Meeting of minds: Yeoh talking to Dr Zulkifli to discuss solutions for social ills among youths.

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