S'pore must keep politics, religion separate: DPM Teo

Politics and religion must be kept strictly separate, especially within the context of multi-racial Singapore, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Responding to questions in Parliament on Monday on the government's policy of keeping religion and politics separate, DPM Teo said mixing the two would disrupt racial harmony and stability.

"Our politics and policies must serve all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion. The government must not take sides with any religious group when making policies," said DPM Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister.

"If politicians use the religion card for their own political purpose and agenda, and seek to sway voters through religious appeals, it will sow the seeds of division in our society, and undermine the inter-religious and social harmony we have painstakingly built," he added.

Last month, Catholic church leader Archbishop Nicholas Chia was embroiled is in a war of words with a local blogger over a report the religious leader had earlier backed a call to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).

On his blog, blogger Alex Au defended his post where he cited second-hand reports that Chia had sent and later retracted an unsolicited letter of support to a group organising an anti-ISA rally.

DPM Teo said however that the position Chia took in withdrawing the letter was "consistent with his words and deeds throughout his leadership of the Catholic Church and as a respected religious leader in Singapore."

Last week, Amy Cheong -- a staff from labour union National Trade Unions Congress (NTUC) -- was also swiftly dismissed from her post after making offensive comments on Facebook regarding Malay weddings.

The Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), who holds an Australian citizenship, has since returned to Perth.

Recently, the government also moved swiftly to block YouTube access to "Innocence of Muslims" after the amateur film sparked a global, violent wave of protests.