While the New Straits Times (NST) is 'confident' of weathering out the cartoon storm by sailing on the full backing of its directors, the newspaper may in turn plunge the state-owned RTM into troubled waters.

According to a source, New Straits Times Group (NSTP) deputy chairperson and editorial adviser Kalimullah Hassan ( right ) assured editors and journalists that there was no cause for alarm.

In an impromptu 10-minute briefing this evening, Kalimullah apparently reiterated that the cartoon was not offensive and that the board of directors at a meeting this morning agreed to back the daily's editors.

Even in the worst case scenario, he said the suspension would not last more than two weeks.

However, the source said the Umno-linked newspaper is expected to turn the tables tomorrow, much to the discomfort of the Information Ministry which oversees RTM .

'We have proof'

The paper, according to the source, has evidence that TV2 in early February had allegedly shown a footage of a person reading a newspaper containing the offensive caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, which had recently riled up Muslims around the world.

This too was disclosed by Kalimullah at the briefing.

"He said TV2's Mandarin News had zoomed in on the image of the cartoon twice and the image filled up the television screen. A recording of that footage had been forwarded to the prime minister.

"We plan to publish a story on TV2 in relation to this tomorrow," said the source, adding that a journalist had even contacted Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin ( left ) for comment regarding this.

However, in a latest twist TV3's Nightline news reported late tonight that NST will carry an unreserved apology on its front-page tomorrow for publishing the cartoon.

This may help to neutralise growing calls for its suspension over the matter.

NST became embroiled in the controversy after publishing a cartoon strip on Monday. The Non Sequitur strip featured a street artist sitting on a chair next to a sign which read 'Caricatures of Muhammad While You Wait'.

A boxed caption read 'Kevin finally achieves his goal to be the most feared man in the world'.

The next day, Islamic-based opposition party PAS and several non-governmental organisations lodged a police report against the daily.

Yesterday, the newspaper reprinted the cartoon alongside an editorial asking the people and government to judge if it was really offensive.

This was criticised as ' unwise and irresponsible ' by Zainuddin and the daily's top brass were summoned to the Internal Security Ministry last night.

The 160-year-old newspaper, among the oldest in the region, was also slapped with a show-cause letter demanding a written explanation in three days on why it should not be reprimanded.

PM reacts

In a related development, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters in Seremban that he would make a decision in a day or two.

"I will have to see the report first before taking any action. There are procedures to follow. It is not long, just a day or two more," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Previously, the government issued an indefinite suspension against Sarawak Tribune for reproducing the controversial caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, first published in a Danish newspaper.

Following this, Chinese newspaper Guangming Daily was suspended for two weeks over a similar offence.