Comment NORMALLY, I do not have the habit of logging into blogs and reading the materials posted. The odd times that I do, I find most of the responses in some blogs rather nonsensical and not worth wasting time on. However, I must also say that there are the odd serious debates on issues which can also be enlightening.

Out of curiosity after having learnt of an 'interesting' photo posted on PKR information chief Tian Chua's blog last week, I clicked on the link and was actually quite shocked by what I saw.

My immediate reaction - the doctored photo posted was in very 'bad taste'.

Now, this was the day after the photo was put up by the PKR official. Not many people had seen it and there was hardly any stir yet. My personal opinion then as it is now - I wouldn't do it if I were Tian Chua but then, I am not.

I am not surprised that of all PKR people, such a silly act would come from Tian Chua. He is known for getting into trouble and I am actually quite disturbed at the frequencies he has been in trouble with the authorities. But he is a true blue die-hard Reformasi man and that has earned him respect among friends and foes alike.

After the hue and cry over it, the firebrand Tian Chua tried to wriggle an explanation which lacked fire. It fell flat, to me at least.

"This photo is just my imagination, a work of art. It is aimed to push (Datuk Seri) Najib Tun Razak to explain his link in the case (Altantuya's murder trial). I will not withdraw the photo or apologise," Chua said.

"I want the authorities to handle the case in a transparent way and for Najib to reveal his relations with Altantuya," he added.

The blog post contained a photo montage purportedly depicting Najib dining with his political advisor Abdul Razak Baginda and slain Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Despite the volley of criticism from BN leaders after the matter was brought up in Parliament, Tian Chua repeated his refusal to apologise, adding that the photo montage was his take on the circumstances surrounding the testimony of prosecution witness Burmaa Oyunchimeg.

On June 29, Burmaa told the Shah Alam High Court that she was once shown a photograph of the murder victim dining with Abdul Razak and a government official known only as 'Najib Razak'.

Both were wrong

Najib refused to comment on Burmaa's testimony but maintained his previous position that he had never met Altantuya before. Following her testimony, Najib's press secretary had said it would be inappropriate for the deputy prime minister to comment while the trial is in progress. He also reiterated that Najib had never met the victim.

But Tuesday's report lodged by Umno Youth to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission against Tian Chua over the photo could prolong the unwelcome publicity for Najib. This is not a very wise move by Umno Youth - the deputy premier could do without this negative press.

Not to be outdone, Tian Chua also took Umno Youth to task saying that the movement had posted a similar photo montage on its website in 2005.

The photo contained the superimposed faces of opposition leaders, including PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, on the cover of the book, Alias Chin Peng: My Side of History . (Montage shown here by PKR member Latheefa Koya)

But the difference between that Umno Youth's posting and Tian Chua's is that Umno Youth immediately removed the offensive photo montage after complaints were received while Tian Chua stubbornly did not.

Let me say this bluntly - posting doctored photos of political adversaries on the Internet is wrong. It is an indecent, ungentlemanly act. As far as I'm concerned, I consider the work of Tian Chua last week and that of Umno Youth two years ago 'political garbage' which have no place in cyberspace.

If Tian Chua thinks his work is an art, then I have to say that he is a lousy artist. Najib looked so out of place in a jacket and tie in the casual wear of Razak Baginda and his female companion.

I honestly think this is not an issue of freedom of expression. It is quite glaring an attempt to put the deputy prime minister in a bad light. Similarly, Umno Youth's photo montage of opposition leaders was also one made in bad taste, intending to smear their opponents.

Politicians who made mistakes will hardly want to admit them and they will try to find unrealistic justifications which only make them look more silly and stupid, without them ever realising it.

Personal attacks unfair

This week, The Borneo Post also carried the story of the DAP Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong lodging a police report over postings in Sarawak Talk which she alleged was an attempt by her political adversaries to defame her. She lodged the report hoping to find out who started the rumour on June 23.

According to the story, a message board entry on Sarawak Talk had alleged that Yong was seen drunk and kissing her boyfriend at a pub last month, which the assemblywoman had vehemently denied.

I feel sorry for Yong that this should happen to her. I think she made the right move by attempting to launch an official probe into tracking down those responsible. It's unfair and indecent for anyone to talk about something so personal against her - this is what I would call another political garbage.

Advances in information and communication technology, particularly with the advent of the Internet are meant to help us all to access information in a quicker and easier manner. Unfortunately, the Net has also become a new source of unwanted filth and dirt.

So dear politicians, please stop dumping your political garbage on the Net. There is more than enough rubbish there already.

PAUL SIR is a columnist with The Borneo Post. This article was published today and is reproduced here with permission.