The tussle over Perak has now taken a digital twist with both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat distributing DVD copies of the infamous fiasco during the May 7 state assembly sitting.

Expectedly, both versions portray each other in bad light.

The ‘BN version' is the most polished of the two, which includes zooms, dramatic background music, slow-motion scenes and captions during the 27-minute clip.

The DVD has voiceovers in two languages - Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin - and an additional 'MTV version' DVD is also in circulation.

perak state assmbly chaos 070509 bn version dvd bahasa malaysia 210509 04 Among the highlights of the BN version were scenes portraying Pakatan state reps harassing the Sargent-at-arms, breaking off microphones at the BN bench and bringing food into the state assembly.

At one point, ousted speaker V Sivakumar was portrayed as being 'possessed' and abusing his powers.

The narrator of the clip would also often infer that the Pakatan state reps were displaying 'samseng' (thug-like) behaviour such as a scene where Loke Chee Yan (DAP-Kepayang) was standing on a table while shouting.

'Flying Standing Orders'

Another scene portrayed Yew Tian Hoe (DAP-Aulong) apparently lobbing a copy of the Standing Orders towards BN state assemblypersons.

It was revealed by deputy speaker Hee Yit Fong (BN friendly independent-Jelapang) that a copy of the Standing Orders was thrown at her that day but she managed to catch it in time and prevented anyone from getting hurt. perak state assembly sitting bn dvd 190509 06

There is however confusion over the author of the 'BN version', as there are no mention of this throughout the clip. BN's Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir has yesterday denied any role in the DVDs.

On Tuesday, Perak exco Dr Mah Han Soon told a press conference that 50,000 copies of the DVD were being distributed for free, in order to counter 'Pakatan version' which are enjoying brisk sales

The 'Pakatan version' was mostly a compilation of clips taken by Ong Boon Piow (DAP-Tebing Tinggi) which focused on how V Sivakumar was forcefully ousted as speaker, a contentious scene which was omitted in the BN version.

perak state assmbly chaos 070509 bn version dvd bahasa malaysia 210509 01 Other scenes include the incident where Hee is depicted pointing a pepper spray canister at Yew, and the incident where Shaarani Mohamad (BN - Rungkup) alleged shouted profanities in the state assembly.

The DVD also had less production value - without any music or captions - compared to the BN version. An 'extended version' of the Pakatan DVD is expected to hit the streets on Wednesday in Ipoh.

'Double standards by authorities'

In a statement today, Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham panned the BN version of the DVD for being "clearly biased".

Chief among Ngeh's complaint is that the fracas during the May 7 sitting was sparked by 10 BN state reps ignoring the speakers orders to leave the hall.

"Truth fears no counter explanation but BN fears Pakatan's reply," he said, adding that BN had tried to frustrate Pakatan‘s efforts to distribute their DVDs.

Ngeh cited the May 9 incident in Sitiawan , when riot police stormed a packed restaurant where DAP leaders were screening the DVD.

perak state assembly sitting bn dvd 190509 07 He also cites another incident on March 29, when Ong was arrested in Ipoh for distributing DVD copies of the famous March 3 ‘tree-assembly'.

"But when BN produced 50,000 DVD copies of the distorted version of the incident on May 7, they were free to do so. Is there any more law in this land? Why the double standards?" asked Ngeh.

He added that while DAP screenings were not allowed, MCA's screening of the DVD on May 17 in Ipoh, went on without a hitch.