KUALA TERENGGANU: It is said that love is blind, but marriage is an eye-opener!
Thus, the 217 newly-married couples involved in a RM800,000 mass wedding ceremony in Terengganu were reminded of the heavy responsibilities that they will have to shoulder as a family.
Giving this advice, Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said that not only would the couples had to tolerate one another, but their in-laws, too, would have to get accustomed to their new relatives.
“I call on parents-in-laws to accept and love their sons-and daughters-in-laws as their own children and advice them well as their habits may differ.
“Forgive and forget their mistakes. for the sake of maintaining family unity.
“Likewise, the children-in-law should tolerate the varied taste of meals served by their parents-in-law and accept it as a new menu,” he said after hosting 70 of the 217 couples from Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus, who had exchanged their marriage vows (akad nikah) on May 14, at Wisma Darul Iman.
The remaining 147 couples were hosted at separate simultaneous luncheons at their respective districts in Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman.
The events were part of Terengganu’s ‘New Transformation Programme (TTB) Generation Family: Premier Marriage 2016’ to help ease the financial burden of less fortunate couples.
The Terenganu Foundation has allocated RM50 million to help raise the socio-economy of its citizens.
“The mass marriage programme is just one of our ways of enhancing the socio-economy of the couples who will also enjoy a RM50,000 loan each to either buy a house or a piece of land."
He said that a one acre (0.4ha) plot of land had each been given to 262 youths in the state to encourage them to become entrepreneurs.
“Additionally, we will also provide them with start-up capital to become entrepreneurs. The aim is to eradicate poverty and ensure that families have a roof above their heads to live in harmony and prosper,” said Razif.
He added the state government would also use the foundation’s funds to help provide adequate education and healthcare for the newly-married couples‘ children so as to propagate a progressive society.
“We should not deny our children a proper education just because we are poor. There are avenues available to address this scenario.
“We will do our utmost to take care of our citizens from the cradle to the grave,” said Razif.
On another note, Razif said the state would initiate the home managers programme for graduates to take up jobs to professionally run households, in view the shortage of foreign maids.
“We will introduce the programme to 'anak-anak Terengganu' (Terengganu born) graduates in the Klang Valley.
“This will be a full-time job that will pay according to the services offered. For instance, they can charge more if they provide tuition for children, upkeep of the garden, provide butler service and the like,” said Razif.