I refer to the reports Take on role of local imam, Perak Umno reps told in The Star and Politicians take on imam role in the New Straits Times on Jan 9.

Now there's something very wrong when the state politicians are told to head prayers at the local mosques. Mixing religion and politics is very wrong, like mixing alcohol with aspirin.

Already politicians are some of the, ahem, dirtiest people around and now you want them to lead prayers?

That's the problem I find with the governments in the Asean region in general - there's always this single, central party (think the Singapore equivalent) that dominates the polls and administration, winning the confidence of the people and subsequently becoming irreplaceably seated in government.

And that seat is very, very sweet.

I'm not a fan of freedom. Personally, I believe the masses have to be controlled via the illusion of freedom and that there must be a certain element of iron-handed tactics practiced by those in positions of leadership in order for progress to be made.

For me, it's not an issue when certain rights have to be curbed in order to maintain political and economical stability within a country. However, the issue gets a lot more complicated when we start seeing politicians dabbling in religion and adopting the role of spiritual leaders within their community, above and beyond their political office.

What exacerbates the situation is that a single party constitutes the government and almost entirely dominates the state legislature. Does that in turn imply that a single party also constitutes and dominates the spiritual leadership in each state?

Enough with the rhetoric. I am of the opinion that Umno's move to consolidate their political position via religion is one step too far and an infringement of the basic human right to embrace religion free from the taint of politics.