I read with interest the setting up of a moral squad by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Affairs Department in Putrajaya to check on the moral and social ills of our youth today. The setting up of this squad is a double-edge sword as people might equate it with the fact that our nation is becoming like other Islamic nations where the state interferes in your private life.

It reminds me of the recent arrest of our youths who were alleged to have been involved in a 'Black Metal' (not proven yet) concert during a New Year bash in Kuala Lumpur. It shows that our young are being stifled of their innocence.

We have to admit the fact that the youth of today are plagued with a lot of social ills such as drug abuse, free sex, bullying and killing but does the setting up of a moral squad solve those problems? Youths today are made up of various races, values and norms and it would be difficult for the moral squad to differentiate those who are Muslim and not.

While the squad can act as the eyes and years of the authorities on errant youths who misbehave, one tends to wonder how they will draw the line on what constitutes indecent behaviour among our young nowadays.

One also tends to worry if these people behind the moral squad will abuse their power or have a 'holier than thou' attitude against those who do not share their definition of values. The enthusiasm of young minds can be killed if moral squads go overboard

Surely we do not want a situation where enforcement officers blackmail couples who are just holding hands in the parks as normal, courting couples do.

As a parent myself, I still believe that parents are ultimately responsible for their children's good behaviour. It is best that they decide to take responsibility for their child's upbringing rather than depend on other government bodies.

One also hopes that 'Talibanisation', which was what had happened Afghanistan and Iran, will not occur here.