Some 340 couples gathered online on a Sunday evening to participate in fun Couple Interactive Activities to rekindle the spark of love in their relationships, as family life comes under great stress with loss of income during the pandemic.
A first of its kind, the online Married Couples Festival held on August 22 was organised by the Married Couples Committee supported by Universal Peace Federation (UPF) of Malaysia. It was launched by Member of Parliament for Sungai Siput Hon. Kesavan Subramaniam.
Joining the 340 couples were State Assemblyman for Kota Kemuning Hon. Ganabatirau Veraman and his wife. “A lasting marriage is built on core values of love, understanding and trust,” said the couple during the ceremony.
Another prominent couple were Datuk Jerard Gan, the Group Advisor of MEDB Capital Investment, and his wife. Addressing the participants, the couple highlighted the importance of expressing appreciation and forgiveness between husbands and wives.
To prepare them for the Couple Interactive Activities, a participation kit was sent to all the 340 couples before the event using delivery services. The meaningful couple activities were coordinated by Mr and Mrs Lai Peng Keong, National Liaison Director of UPF Malaysia. They led all the couples in a pledge of renewal and cheers to happiness.
Participants also heard congratulatory remarks by Dr and Mrs Letchumanan from Ipoh, Perak. He and his wife brought 140 married couples to join the festival. Dr Goh Tiam Huat, the founder of Goh Tiam Huat Traditional Chinese Treatment Center (Johor) and his wife encouraged all husbands and wives to be more loving and understanding towards one another.
UPF Malaysia president Mr Sudesh Balasubramaniam said his NGO thought up the idea of an online festival because married couples were facing many challenges which could erode their bonds of love and affection during economically difficult times.
Special awards were presented to selected couples, namely, Longest Marriage Award; Most Number of Children Award; Three Generation Family Award; Physically-Challenged Couple Award; Most Promising Couple Award; and Model Couple Award.