Day of fun family bonding

A PICNIC at Zoo Negara was the ideal family bonding session for Muhamad Hairulazuan Salleh.

The 42-year-old tailor said that since both he and his wife had their respective jobs, finding time for the family was sometimes difficult, so he treasured every moment spent with his family at the zoo.

“Normally, we would be busy at work on weekdays and could only spend quality time with the family on weekends.

“We would cook together with our two daughters and would go camping once a month.

Anfaal (seated, centre) with Zuraina (to her right) alongside VIPs and participants who enjoyed a day out at the national zoo. .

“In fact, having a picnic here at the zoo is the perfect getaway for the family as we have also done something similar last month,” he said.

Muhamad Hairulazuan was among the participants who joined the state-level National Family Month (BKK) celebration at Dataran Dato’ Ismail Hutson, Zoo Negara in Ampang.

Organised by National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) and Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS), the BKK celebration is an annual programme that serves as a platform to promote healthy family institutions which contribute to a harmonious community.

A girl choosing the best hues for her colouring contest entry.

The programme allows participants to have a picnic at the zoo while enjoying the animal exhibits as well as engaging in team activities as a family.

Muhamad Hairulazuan said he enjoyed the session as there was a zero-gadget hour during which participants were not allowed to touch their electronic devices.

“We practise something similar at home where we are not allowed to use our phones during meals.

At the event, Anfaal also took the time to highlight promotional material urging a stop to violence against women and children

“Also, it is fun to colour together with my daughters and we are glad that we won a consolation prize in the colouring contest.

“We could have done better if we had time to complete the colouring,” he said.

During the programme, services such as HPV cancer screenings under the Women Cancer Reproductive (WCaRe) campaign, health screenings, parenting education exhibition and family counselling, as well as stress pitstop with counsellors were available.

A youngster playing with toys at one of the booths.

National Population and Family Development Board information management division director Zuraina Mohd Zain said in her opening speech that the programme also promoted positive values in forming a harmonious family.

“The theme chosen for the programme, ‘Keluarga Harmoni, Negara Madani’ applies to Malaysians from all walks of life, where each of us is responsible for creating a harmonious family.

“A strong family institution will contribute to a better community,” she said.

Muhamad Hairulazuan with (from left) his wife Saadiah Mohamed Rashid, 40, daughters Nur Aufa Nazihah, 9, Nur Dini Arissa, 10, and neighbour’s daughter Norasirah Nasril, 10, spending quality time together at Zoo Negara.

Selangor women and family empowerment, welfare and care economy committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the value and concept of a Madani Family placed love, care, tolerance and respect towards other family members as utmost important.

“It is our responsibility to form a strong family institution that captures the concept of Madani Family.

“State-wise, the government had allocated a total of RM4mil for women and family development next year.

“It is also my focus on the family development agenda to ensure each family unit becomes the nucleus for state development,” she said.

Also present at the programme were WBS chief executive officer Rozeeta@Hidayah Ramli, Gombak district officer Norazlina Abdul Aziz and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council president Dr Ani Ahmad.