KUCHING, El Sky News – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has emphasised that the proposal to reintroduce tasawuf education—an Islamic discipline rooted in moral refinement and ethical values—into the national education system should be seriously considered.
He stated that such a move would serve as a crucial spiritual safeguard in shaping an ethical, responsible, and compassionate society amid the rapid challenges posed by technological advancement and artificial intelligence (AI).
Ethics and Responsibility in the Digital Age
Datuk Seri Fadillah explained that although the world continues to progress swiftly with modern technology, the development of moral character and social responsibility must remain grounded in values and Malaysia’s unique multicultural identity.
“I believe it is important to reintroduce moral or tasawuf education so that children can be nurtured from an early age to understand appropriate values and cultures in a country with diverse backgrounds and beliefs,” he said after officiating a seminar in Kuching.
The incorporation of tasawuf—a discipline that emphasises inner purification and self-awareness—is viewed as critical to educating the younger generation in several aspects:
- Understanding a Plural Society: Fostering respect and tolerance within Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-faith communities.
- Awareness of Actions: Instilling consciousness about the implications and consequences of one’s actions, particularly in the digital sphere.
Curriculum or Co-Curriculum? Further Deliberation Ahead
This significant proposal will be discussed with the Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, to determine whether tasawuf elements should be reintegrated into the formal curriculum or embedded within existing educational frameworks, in line with the ongoing curriculum reform process.
Datuk Seri Fadillah also expressed openness to more flexible implementation methods. If tasawuf cannot be formally introduced as a subject, its values could still be integrated through co-curricular programmes or student character development initiatives.
This strategic initiative aims to ensure that Malaysia’s future generations are not only technologically literate but also anchored in human values and moral responsibility, in harmony with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani.
