PUTRAJAYA: Corruption and misappropriation are early signs that a country will collapse, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
To prevent the country from downfall, he said, the government must ensure the family institution is protected with strong moral and humanitarian values.
"(Muslim philosopher) Ibnu Khaldun had once said a country can move forward when it is administered well, rejecting immorality, corruption and misappropriation, padded with moral values that are well-understood by the leadership and the next generation.
"These cause the formation of great civilisations, but once these values are forgotten and immorality and corruption are allowed, it is a sign of the beginning of a collapse, even though the country's development and technology have progressed.
"And how are all these good values fostered? Through families," he said at the launch of the November National Family Month at Dataran Putrajaya here today.
Also present were Anwar's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, and her deputy, Aiman Athirah Sabu.
Anwar added that values such as morality, courtesy, and humanity, as well as interests in reading, learning, and understanding the principles of religion, all begin in the family.
He also said people judge the ability of community leaders such as penghulu, village heads and even ministers by their capabilities in leading and caring for their families.
"If their families are in disorder, people will perceive them as being unable to manage a society."
Touching on the atrocities in Gaza, Palestine, Anwar said the public were affected by the cruelty because they had been trained by their families to understand the meaning of love, mercy, and humanity, despite not coming from the same race or religion.
He said it was important for families to inculcate strong values, especially in a multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Malaysia.
"Educating children with strong values is the pillar in understanding the concept of Malaysia Madani. This concept is different from others because Madani stresses on values, morals, and humanity, which can be sometimes forgotten when we are too focused on development, economy and (providing) jobs.
"While they are all important, the country can become great and can progress even further when there are strong values," said Anwar.