On the exchange of sarcasm over Terengganu's proposal to ban Muslims from patronising outlets that serve alcohol, I think all parties are ignoring the real issue.

It is more than just an issue of religious values and morality. It is one of communal segregation and personal freedom. A Muslim or non-Muslim should be able to choose the way he approaches his religion.

What is more troubling is that legislating religion in such a manner serves not only to impinge on personal rights, but in a wider context serves to institutionalise the divide between Muslims and non-Muslims. That, is most troubling.

Our society is already defined by numerous social, cultural and religious differences. What these laws do is amplify the differences and forcefully segregate sections of the community over such issues. On a personal level, it also leaves no room for the individual to decide.

For example, I may not consume alcohol but for business or for the sake of entertaining friends, I may choose to treat my business associates or friends to a beer. The law not only prevents me from making a decision whether to consume, but worse, it further inhibits the way I deal with people around me.

As a real life example, I do not consume pork and dislike the smell of it, furthermore my religion requires me to avoid it. However, I would not think twice to order it for friends when we are sitting down for a meal. I simply avoid the dish. Nor do I always take alcoholic drinks when I am in a bar, sometimes I decline offers for drinks and opt for soft drinks instead.

Terengganu's laws would seem to assume that its residents are too stupid to make such decisions on their own. Either that, or they are simply trying to score points for their own political motives. The issue then is not whether one should or should not take alcohol, or wear revealing clothes. It is whether the government is capable of administering the state in an intelligent and trustworthy manner, and this is where the Terengganu government is suspect.