The decision by Papua New Guinea's speaker of parliament to order the removal of traditional wooden carved heads adorning the parliament has been described as vindictive.
Theo Zurenoc ordered the carvings be removed last week, prompting the director of PNG's National Museum and Art Gallery, Dr Andrew Motu, to slam the directive.
"They believe that these things fitted with a pagan Asian and a mystic background, religious background and therefore are considered evil and ungodly and therefore they want to sort of purge and clean the House of Parliament," Dr Motu told Radio Australia.
"They are carved images, specifically carved to represent the whole of Papua New Guinea.
"All the installations in there are never associated with any, any ritual belief."
Mr Zurenoc had come under the influence of a small group of Christian pastors, Dr Motu said.
He said there was a plan to bring the heads to the national museum, however some of the carvings have been chopped into three pieces.
Catholic priest Father Giorgio Licini told the Port Moresby-based Post Courier newspaper the speaker's move was "ridiculous".
"PNG citizens should be aware of the rising religious fundamentalism," Fr Licini said.
"It sprouts from a mix of arrogance and insecurity, ignorance and cargo cult.
"Politicians should not court these movements."
