Parents must monitor children’s activities, studies and whereabouts, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged parents to take greater responsibility for monitoring their children’s activities and upbringing, warning that a lack of supervision could jeopardise their future.

Speaking to reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Muqarrabin here, Anwar said parents should pay closer attention to their children’s daily routines, including their studies, whereabouts and whether they were at risk of getting involved with drugs.

“Parents sometimes do not even know whether their children are reading books, whether they are coming home at night, whether they are doing their homework or getting involved with drugs,” he said.

Anwar said cooperation between parents and families was important in addressing issues affecting children, including mental health problems and autism.

He said the Cabinet had discussed several such issues earlier today, which required collective efforts to find solutions.

“Besides the calls I hear every day for the government to take action, I want to take this opportunity to urge parents to take responsibility,” he said.

Anwar also expressed concern that some parents might leave their children to their circumstances without providing proper supervision, guidance and education.

“I worry about their upbringing and future if parents simply surrender to the circumstances without supervising and educating them,” he said.