Balance rapid economic growth with moral and societal values: Lee Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: The rapid economic growth in Malaysia should be balanced with moral and societal values and hence, it is time to develop a new, effective and sustainable blueprint to address the multifarious social problems through a special task force, said Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Vice Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said full cooperation by all stakeholders is needed to address the issue.
He said the success of the nation depends not only on economics, science, and information communication technology but also on how to build a Malaysian society which is morally, spiritually and mentally strong and healthy.
"Despite the many accomplishments, the social progress of our society is still lagging behind. It is time for us to address the country's social capital," he said in a statement today.
Lee said all Malaysians must take responsibility for the failing values and declining social standards prevalent today.
"The serious crime rates, the unresolved drug menace, corruption in the public and private sectors, indiscipline in schools, truancy, bullying and the culture of violence in our midst all point to an urgent need to address the country's social capital," he said.
Thus, he said the time had come to improve the quality of life and address the negative trends head-on before the situation deteriorates. — Bernama