I refer to malaysiakini report Hishammuddin caught in 'keris-fire'.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang was spot on when he said that Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein was the greatest 'polariser'. There is no denying that when he waved his 'keris', it was a signal of Malay supremacy over others. He did not do it once, but twice. This really confirms his intention which all Malaysians will remember for a long, long time.

Being a minister of education, he should set an example to all the educationists and particularly the students. Our students are going to be leaders of the future. If the very head who is suppose to mould them behaves in such unbecoming manner, how does one expect the students to be civil?

To add insult to injury, Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar accused others of always harping on racial issues. I wonder how is that raising seditious issues at Umno general meetings year in, year out is not 'harping on racial issues'.

Then Shahrir Samad, the BN MP for Johor Baru went on to stress that the 'keris' is a symbol of fairness and not violence. This may be true. But when a 'keris' is was waved in a fiery manner with a battle cry loud and clear, it no longer means fairness but is to incite emotions.

The snake is one of the creatures on the symbol of many international medical organisations. It represents Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine while the serpent coiled around the staff symbolises the renewal of youth as the serpent casts off its skin. But if I were to wave a snake in the face of Shahrir, would he see anything remotely connected with life-saving?

Come on, Shahrir and Noh Omar, if both of you wanted to be stupid or act stupid, please do not include the public as being like you. It is time politicians and ministers not underestimate the intelligence and understanding of the public.