‘Civic lessons will make better Malaysians’

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed hope that civic education, introduced in schools last June, will create communities that are responsible, caring and considerate.

These qualities, he said, were important to community living to ensure that each individual contributed to the wellbeing of the environment around them.

Dr Mahathir said one could not depend only on parents to instil civic values within their children given the fast pace of modern life and, as such, it had to be incorporated into the education system.

“I welcome and laud the Education Ministry’s move to incorporate civic education in the syllabus.

“By doing this, our country will be developed, clean and highly-regarded by the world,” he said at the launch of the national-level Civic Education 2019 programme here.

Civic education takes up one hour in the fourth week of every month during the teaching of Bahasa Melayu, English, Islamic Education, Moral Education and History, as well as during assembly and cocurricular activities.

Dr Mahathir voiced his disappointment with the lack of civic consciousness among Malaysians.

Citing toilets in the country, he said he was embarrassed over the poor maintenance of such facilities.

“This mirrors the attitude we have. We should feel embarrassed, but some are of the opinion that nobody will know, and this is because they don’t have civic consciousness and responsibility.”

Dr Mahathir also commended the authorities for their tireless efforts in searching for Irish teenager Nora Anne Quoirin who was reported missing while on vacation with her family in Negri Sembilan.