PUTRAJAYA, July 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday night stressed the importance of inculcating the feeling of love and mutual respect in the family because a happy family contributes to a peaceful environment in the country.

"The family is an important structure in the society. A happy family will lead to a prosperous society and country," said the Prime Minister at the "Malam Mesra" dinner of the Ministry of Internal Security, here.

Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, said a happy family could create an excellent generation and enhance the work performance of the individual.

He said many family activities could be organised such as the function tonight which was also a form of family activity.

"Hopefully, we can feel happy and motivated, and could focus our attention towards our objective of maintaining security in the country," he said.

The function, the first to be held since the ministry was set up in March, aimed to forge closer and friendly relations between officers and other staff in the ministry.

Also present were the two Deputy Ministers of Internal Security Datuk Noh Omar and Chia Kwang Chye, Secretary-General of the ministry, Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop.