KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 ― While many Malaysians want more development and job security in their future, they also want higher-quality living.
“They want fewer malls and more parks. They don't want to go shop at malls, they can do that online. They want spaces to be created so they can work, play and perform.
“They want more parks to jog in, more spaces for theatre and music performances,” Khairy Jamaludin told Malay Mail Online in a recent interview.
The youth and sports minister said this came through loud and clear from the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) engagement sessions.
He added that many Malaysians were also concerned about better awareness of mental health issues which is currently lacking in the country.
Khairy said social stigma over mental illness needs to be removed with better education to create a more “scientific society.”
“When somebody says they have troubles or mental problems, they should not be dismissed as gila or taken to the bomoh to chase out the evil spirits.
“A person with mental health problems needs treatment,” Khairy explained.
“We want to make sure that health is looked at holistically. There needs to be a support system and no stigma. People need a support system that is easily available.
“There should be enough trained counsellors in schools and universities to help young people deal with pressures that might lead to mental health issues,” Khairy stressed.
In the Internet era, among the biggest issues is cyber bullying which Khairy believes needs to be addressed and eradicated.
“Our concern today is cyber bullying. That leads to a lot mental health issues. People trolling people because of animosity.
“It's a very harsh digital world out there. We need to make sure we have the right civic values and right societal norms,” he added.
Khairy has been put in charge of the TN50 initiative which is a brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
