Dear Secretary General

United Nations Association of Malaysia and Prem Rawat

I wish to bring to your attention a somewhat sensitive matter concerning your apparent endorsement of a self-professed "inspirational speaker" known as Prem Rawat.

He recently addressed the United Nations Association of Malaysia, as described in the two attached press releases. You will note that, despite the headlines, both articles clearly focus on Mr Rawat, and both convey the clear impression that you give Mr Rawat and his "message" your own personal endorsement.

It may be simply that Mr Rawat's people are giving his speech to the UNAM rather more "spin" than they should. If so, it is for your press office to deal with. But if it really was your intention to give your own endorsement to Prem Rawat, I think it only fair to inform you that this man was formerly known as Guru Maharaj Ji, the so-called "Perfect Master" and one-time head of the Divine Light Mission, a personality cult that came to prominence in the West in the 1970s.

For a cult leader with his track record for taking advantage of gullible people (and growing extremely rich on their devotion) to have the endorsement of the United Nations must be a crowning achievement.

As for the reputation of the Office of the United Nations, however …

I hope you can take every action necessary to help bring to light such blatant abuse of people's trust.

Yours sincerely