KUALA LUMPUR: Families are out and about on Mother's Day here in Kuala Lumpur. Getting pampered with massages, eating out and relaxing is for Malaysian mothers a rare change of pace. “I just got a massage for my gift and my back finally feels like it has new life,” said Mital, a 25-year-old mother of two and housewife. “It is nice to see we are getting noticed by others this year,” she told Bikyamasr.com in reference to Prime Minister Najib Razak's public declaration of praise for mothers on Mother's Day. He said that all mothers from Generation X and Y have shown their “hard work” in balancing family and careers. “Mother's Day this year focuses on the role of young mothers, particularly those who are working. Happy Mother's Day!” said Najib, who is acting Women, Family and Community Development Minister, on his Facebook account in conjunction with Mother's Day tomorrow. In his speech in conjunction with the Mother's Day recorded in a hotel suite in Johor Baharu after attending a wedding reception on Saturday, he said Generation X and Y comprised young people, “who were fast-moving, good at planning strategies and skilful in using modern technologies.” Razak said they were a very important part of the society as they were the ones who would take the country towards Vision 2020. “I hope the role of mothers, who represent Generation X and Y, are to balance the demands of career and family to enable them not only to pursue their own career but also to succeed as mother. “Lastly, I would like to once again wish a Happy Mother's Day. Let us hope, with the commitment of all mothers, Malaysia will grow stronger and become more successful. Happy Mother's Day 2012,” he said. Meanwhile, the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in her speech, hoped mothers would look after their children well and shower them with love to spur them to become useful and courteous citizens, and persons of high integrity when they grow up. “To children, I would like to remind you to love your mother. Never forget their good deeds. Never put them in misery and hurt their feelings. “Remember, the heaven is under your mother's feet,” he said. For the many Malaysian mothers on Sunday, it is a day of relaxation and recognition for their efforts the past year. “I think this is a great holiday and it brings families together,” added Mital.
