THREE in 10 couples considering divorce have reconciled after attending family counselling sessions conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), offering a positive sign that intervention can help prevent marital breakdown.
Women, Family and Community Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff said the achievement showed that counselling could help couples better understand their marital conflicts and reconsider their decisions to separate.
“Although the rate may appear small, to us it is a very meaningful success, considering that this initiative only began last year,” she said during Bernama TV’s Kasih Lensa Keluarga podcast on Wednesday.
Maziah identified poor communication between husbands and wives as one of the main causes of marital conflict, saying counselling provided a safe space for couples to manage their emotions, communicate openly and assess how their disputes could affect their marriage and children’s future.
“Sometimes, the issues that trigger arguments may not be particularly significant, but they affect each partner emotionally. When couples sit down and discuss matters calmly, they can see the bigger picture concerning their family’s future and their marriage,” she said.
She said the ministry would continue improving family intervention services based on findings and experience gained from existing programmes.
Strengthening family institutions is a key objective of the National Family Love Policy (DKKN) 2026-2030, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Feb 14 to translate the National Social Policy into action in addressing increasingly complex family and social challenges.
Maziah said the policy was guided by five core values under the acronym KASIH — love, trust, health, knowledge and harmony — and encompassed five strategic pillars covering marriage, family planning, parenting quality, inclusive family support and conflict management.
On modern parenting challenges, she said children were influenced not only by their home environment but also by digital technology, social media, schools and peers.
“In the past, a well-behaved child was seen as one who stayed at home. Today, even a child alone in their bedroom is not necessarily protected from outside influences because of smartphones,” she said.
She stressed that strengthening families required cooperation among the government, communities and schools, rather than placing the entire responsibility on parents.
Maziah also encouraged the public to attend National Family Day celebrations in Shah Alam on Nov 6 and 7, featuring various family-related programmes and exhibitions. - October 22, 2026