KOTA MARUDU: Technology should not be a barrier to family harmony but instead be used wisely to strengthen family institutions, said Datin Seri Juliah Salag.
Speaking at the district-level WCaRe Reproductive Cancer Awareness Campaign here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister’s wife urged communities, particularly women, to strike a balance between digital use and family values.
Juliah, who is also Mutiara Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) president, stressed the need to uphold face-to-face communication, love, responsibility and respect despite increasing reliance on gadgets and the internet.
She cited a 2023 report by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) showing that national Internet penetration had reached 97.4 per cent, with 99.3 per cent of users accessing it via smartphones.
While improved rural connectivity offers access to education, health and economic opportunities, she noted it also presents challenges to emotional and family interaction.
Juliah welcomed the WCaRe campaign, saying it empowers rural women with essential knowledge on reproductive health, with one in 19 women at risk of breast cancer and one in 40 at risk of cervical cancer.
She also praised the National Population and Family Development Board’s (LPPKN) holistic approach, combining health awareness with education on family values and digital literacy.
