Filial Piety Must Be Passed Down by Example to the Next Generation – Parents’ Day Reminds Us to Cherish Parental Grace

(Miri, 29th) Sarawak Deputy Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Rosey, stated that filial education must be cultivated from an early age, and that parents and elders should lead by example, passing on the values of love and gratitude to the next generation, so that children learn to respect their parents and care for their families as they grow.

She expressed these views last night while attending the “Time Never Ages, Grateful for You” Parents’ Day banquet organized by the Youth Group of Miri Dejiaohui Zilige at Paragon Hotel.

She thanked Miri Dejiaohui Zilige and the Youth Group for their invitation and praised the organizers for their long-standing active involvement in public welfare and charity work, setting a good example for society.

She said the most important thing tonight is not enjoying the banquet, but that Dejiaohui has provided an opportunity for families to gather, celebrate Parents’ Day together, promote love, gratitude, and filial piety, strengthen the family institution, and pass these correct values on to the younger generation.

“Everything we do today, the young generation sees. They will learn and imitate. Therefore, when we personally practice filial piety towards our parents today, we are setting an example for our own future, hoping that our children will be just as filial to us when they grow up.”

She stated that people frequently mention creating a better future for the next generation, but in fact, the efforts made today are also for one’s own later years. As long as correct values are instilled from young, children will naturally know to care for their parents when they grow up.

She said, holding Parents’ Day celebrations is precisely to remind the younger generation to always remember the important responsibility of being filial to parents, as parents raise their children with painstaking effort and sacrifices, making countless contributions to the family; therefore, Parents’ Day is also an important day to express gratitude and respect toward parents.

“Tonight is an evening to thank our parents. Let’s give a round of applause to our fathers and mothers for their years of silent dedication and nurturing.”

She said, this sentence is worth everyone pondering, so it is all the more important to cultivate the right values in children from a young age, teaching them to respect parents and love family, rather than waiting until they are grown up to learn filial piety.

She emphasized that as long as children are given love, care, guidance, and companionship from an early age, they will naturally know to love their parents and families when they grow up, and will continue to pass on this love.

Rosey also quoted a well-known saying: “One parent can care for ten children, but ten children may not be able to care for one parent.”

She expressed the hope that through similar activities, the education of love will continue to be instilled, cultivating children to love, respect, and appreciate their parents from a young age, making love a part of family culture.

She pointed out that in Malay society, there is a saying that what parents say to their children is like a blessing (Doa). When parents often give their children positive encouragement and affirmation, such as praising them for being intelligent, outstanding, and well-behaved, these positive words become a source of strength during their growth, making them more confident and excellent.

“Therefore, we should encourage our children more and speak positive words, for every word of love and encouragement may become a driving force for them in life.”

Rosey praised the Miri Dejiaohui Zilige Youth Group for organizing this Parents’ Day banquet full of educational significance, which not only promotes a culture of filial respect but also strengthens emotional bonds among family members.

She hopes that this event can be held every year, constantly reminding the public to cherish their parents and practice filial piety in a timely manner, so that the traditional Chinese virtues of respecting the elderly and loving one's family can be passed down from generation to generation, building a society full of love and care together.