If all the keris-waving and incendiary speeches was meant to frighten onlookers, it backfired. Instead it upset many including Umno and non-Umno members alike, and galvanised public opinion against a party that has lost touch with reality.

All the government's efforts and public money spent on inculcating positive and healthy values in our youth have been undermined by such a sad display of bigotry. Those politicians have lost the moral high ground and the public's respect. They have set a dismal example for everyone and tarred the country's image overseas.

Any political party in power that harangues its minority citizens with reminders of past bloodbaths and insensitive remarks is not fit to govern. I am aware of no other country except a tin pot dictatorship in Africa that resorts to this sort of behaviour.

Those who try to defend the use of the keris and explain it away as an integral part of Malay culture miss the point.

Every Malaysian understands the ceremonial function of the keris. But when displayed in a hostile manner with suggestions it be bathed in blood, there is no misunderstanding its evil intent. They should not add insult to injury and exhibit their dishonesty.

If anyone is qualified to wave a keris it is our King or sultans but fortunately they know better. A keris should, therefore, not be treated so disrespectfully and be used as a symbol of intimidation and disunity. It is time these zealots stop their keris waving antics. The government should show leadership and ban keris waving for political purposes.

The Malays have a reputation for gentleness and hospitality but these keris-waving zealots have brought shame to their own community and disparaged their noble image. Their thuggish acts cant be justified, let alone condoned. They showed disrespect for everyone including their own political partners in the Barisan Nasional who once saved their political scalp.

What Umno has shown others is that it has hooligans among its number. The failure of its leaders to rein in the offenders for their seditious behaviour is a sad indictment of their complicity and lack of moral authority. Because the event was televised and seen by millions, Umno owes everyone an apology.