Exressing contempt by stepping on images of three party hoppers who caused the downfall of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat state government is an act to be condemned

Bayan Baru PKR parliamentarian Zahrain Mohamad Hashim said that such behaviour was childish and not part of the Asian culture.

"We are in a new era of politics. The best way to tackle disagreements is by discussing or debating it," said Zahrain at a press conference in Parliament yesterday.

NONE Delegates to DAP's state-level convention in Ipoh had little choice but to step on images of the trio placed on the floor at the entrance to the convention hall.

The three, now BN-friendly independents, are Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering).

"In the Malay culture even if you knock someone's head it is rude," said Zahrain. "It is wise to keep a level-head and avoid fanatical behaviour."

Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusuf also criticised the incident, saying that such behaviour as exhibited by the DAP delegates would "create a vicious cycle".

"We have to show in a new era of politics that we appreciate each other's cultures and know the boundaries in politics. We have to show and maintain respect," he said.

Don't get carried away

Also present during the conference were Mohsin Fadzil Samsuri (Bagan Serai), Ahmad Kassim (Kuala Kedah), Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim Bandar Baru), N Gobalakrisnan (Padang Serai) and Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju).

All them said their views were being expressed in a spirit of goodwill and the advice should not be construed as an attack on each other.

NONE Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also dished out similar advice and said the opposition should not get "carried away".

"(If there are any disagreements), they should engage in a proper debate and avoid negative behaviour such as this, because then it will spark certain other sensitivities.

"That's my personal view. It is important for us to ensure that it doesn't go to that level," he said.

"I understand the frustration and empathise with them, seeing what they have done to us... they can beat us, strip us naked, what's the big deal about stepping?

"But then we must stay patient, show respect and maintain decorum," said Anwar.