I am writing in reply to the comments from both Patriotic School Leaver and Wong Ki Jin . I must agree that there are errors in the way Pendidikan Moral is being taught in schools and its contents. But to suggest that it should be totally be disregarded as a subject is incomprehensible.

It is necessary that all members of our society conduct ourselves in a moral and ethical manner. Thus the government, in order to provide for the moral demands of the society, deem it necessary that the Pendidikan Moral subject is taught in all schools.

I find that there is a big mistake in Wong's analogy of a criminal who scores well in Pendidikan Moral. To assume that whether someone is a moral person based on passing a test is an absurd idea. It doesn't mean that if you score an A in Pendidikan Moral you will become a good person. And even if you fail the test, it doesn't mean that you'll end up as a criminal.

What is the point then in teaching Pendidikan Moral in schools? The answer is that the chances of inculcating moral principles and ethics among the nation's youth is much higher than without Pendidikan Moral at all.

Pendidikan Moral alone will not suffice to instill in our youth a high level of moral sense and duty. Other factors such as family, friends, the surrounding environment and above all religion also plays an important role in the development of one's morality.

Perhaps what we really need is not the abolishment of Pendidikan Moral but instead a much more comprehensive and enlightening one. Malaysia is slowly beginning to show signs that its citizens, especially the youth, is lacking the much required and crucial moral education. Take the spread of gangsterism even in some of the nation's best schools such as the MCKK (Malay College, Kuala Kangsar). Also don't forget the Canny Ong tragedy. This all goes to show that Pendidikan Moral is now needed more than ever before.

I cannot help but agree to the suggestion that other religions should also be taught in schools. This is because I believe that regardless of what form of religion one practises, it will indirectly impart morality upon oneself. On the other hand, we have always strived to create a multiracial, multicultural society, so shouldn't we also try to create a multireligious one as well?

No doubt, the government must also make the effort to constantly and periodically reform the syllabus of the subject. The way and method on how the subject is being taught must also be restructured. This is important so as to enable students to really understand and learn what is Pendidikan Moral all about. Only then can the subject be utilised to its maximum potential and capability.

In the end we must learn to accept that no amount of Pendidikan Moral will ever be enough to create a moral utopia in our society. There will always be crimes being committed and the only thing we can do is to prevent it from spreading and keeping it at a minimum level.

Yet, if we decide to discard Pendidikan Moral from our education system, wouldn't that be an immoral thing to do than to instead try to improve its effectiveness?