Two Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs were up in arms at the Dewan Rakyat today over a television advertisement depicting an ill-mannered Malay man, which they said ran contrary to the race's values and therefore should be withdrawn immediately.

The MPs said the advertisement, which shows a scene in a light rail transit, gave a negative perception of young Malays.

The advertisement is to promote the national Courtesy and Noble Values Campaign.

Rosli Mat Hassan (BN-Dungun), in tabling a motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his address in opening the new session of Parliament yesterday, said the advertisement did not reflect the identity and culture of the Malays who upheld politeness and courtesy.

"The advertisement shows a young man wearing a tie indicating he is educated and works as an executive. Do we want this kind of image for our community?

"I want the ministry concerned to stop airing the advertisement tonight or tomorrow," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) supported Rosli's demand and asked why a young Malay man was portrayed as ill-mannered.

"I don't want to be racial but the advertisement's portrayal conflicts with the culture of the Malays which promotes courtesy. So why portray only a young Malay man as ill-bred?" he asked.

No variation

He said the main weakness of the advertisement was the absence of variation on the theme.

Mohd Alwi said the ministry concerned produced only one advertisement to highlight the lack of courtesy among Malaysians but this had the effect of creating perceptions of the races represented by the characters in the advertisement.

Coming to the advertisement's defence was Mat Yasir Ikhsan (BN-Sabak Bernam) and Mohd Razali Che Mamat (BN-Kuala Krai) .

Mohd Razali said the advertisement was meant to convey a message on the need for Malaysians to show courtesy to others.

He said it was unnecessary to stop airing it just because it showed a single young Malay man as ill-mannered.

Whereas, Mat Yasir agreed the advertisement contained weaknesses but these were balanced by the message it carried.