A graphics design lecturer from a private college in Kuala Lumpur said that the controversial photo was doctored.

"The crowd in front (those with the Prime Minister) appeared different from those behind. It is clear that two different pictures had been merged to create the photograph," he said on the condition of anonymity.

Judging from the angle of light, the photo in Berita Minggu showed an unusual change in the colour tone. The "colour" of the crowd in front is quite faint and soft as compared to the "brightness" of the crowd behind. Likewise, the change in the size ratio of the crowd was unreasonable - it is large in front, and unusually small in the back, he explained.

This view was also supported by a graphic design artist who works at a major daily newspaper.

"It is not difficult to superimpose a photograph as it only takes less than five minutes to do it," he said, also on the condition of anonymity. He believed that the two photographs were superimposed in a hurry.

"The photo definitely looks odd even to the eyes of the readers. It doesn't require an expert to point this out."