Couples to get more support with cheaper marriage prep courses

Apart from higher rebates, more online modules will be made available to all

- Gabrielle Chan

Not raising your voice in anger and making the effort to spend quality time together are key to a lasting marriage, said a couple who have been together for almost seven decades.

Mr Peter Chua, 91, and Madam Molly Foong, 86, were married in 1956, and just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in February.

"I always make sure that we have breakfast, lunch and dinner together," Madam Foong said. "When I go out for my exercise, I make sure that I come back on time so we can eat together."

They were one of 202 couples present at the Golden Jubilee Wedding Celebrations on Feb 16, an event to honour couples who have been together for more than 50 years.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi, also attended the celebration.

At the event, organised by the Families for Life Council, the Registry of Marriages and the Registry of Muslim Marriages, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli announced more support for couples looking to tie the knot.

From July 1, all Singaporean and permanent resident couples who complete marriage preparation programmes will get a higher rebate of $170, with full subsidies provided for lower-income couples, Mr Masagos said.