Bill's letter to malaysiakini contains much truth about the need for separation between politics and religion. I hope at least half of the politicians and the population have the brains, or the guts, to think the same.

Religion is a way of life. Politics is a science of discriminative manipulation. When you mix both, as in Malaysia, it becomes a manipulative way of life.

The logic applies to our country's policies on race. Malaysia has been making way for racial disparity and segregation and refuses to see it as the wrong way.

I cannot forecast much progress for the country unless and until its citizens wake up to this call to separate race from religion. Look at nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Scandinavian countries. Their politics have been based on national issues rather than religious ones. Their opposition parties are strong and political discussions vibrant.

I hope the new generation of Malaysian politicians consider this for the sake of Malaysia.