Despite being labelled an 'instigator' ( penghasut ) by PAS, the national television station Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) will continue to expose "the dark side" of the party, said Information Ministry parliamentary secretary Zainuddin Maidin.

He was responding to the latest edition of Fikrah Harakah , a PAS publication, which features an interview with Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat on his controversial statement that "God is a thug ( samseng )".

Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual leader, was asked whether RTM had exploited the issue. The station had repeatedly shown video clips of the statement he made during a ceramah (political talk).

The Semasa section of the paper quoted him as replying that RTM is the "property" of the government and that it has a responsibility to report fairly.

"But if they go to the extent of using video clips to slander other people, this is not RTM's job. This is out of its job specifications, it has become an instigator.

"It is no longer the voice of the people. But I let it be as many people are sick of RTM's role, not me alone," Nik Aziz said.

'Educating' PAS leaders

Rising to RTM's defence, Zainuddin better known as Zam said the station had not twisted the facts of the samseng statement.

He criticised PAS leaders for being merely "medicine sellers on the streets", saying that they would have to be exposed for what they are.

"This (RTM exposing PAS) is an honourable struggle for the Muslims. RTM (has to) save the people from baseless instigation or things will get out of hand," Zam told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

"RTM will educate them (PAS leaders) to be good Muslims. We are not doing this to win the elections. I am not a politician but a journalist. They (PAS) are closing the minds of the Malays."

Zam also said the footage may have been brief but that the duration over which it was aired was solely at the discretion of the television station.

"As news people, you should understand this. We do not do this only to PAS, sometimes we also feature brief reports about (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad," he said.

"But we gave special treatment to Nik Aziz. When he requested that the clips be shown a longer time, we showed it twice. Instead of three seconds, we showed it for five seconds."

PAS 'misleading' people

Zam also hit out at PAS for misleading the people of Kelantan by wearing humble attire and through their way of life.

He said PAS leaders in Kelantan behaved like "poor men" but their actual lifestyle was much better than that of ordinary people.

"I am sure PAS members of Parliament lead better lives. So they mislead the people with their humble image," he claimed.

"They (PAS) call Kelantan serambi Mekah (gateway to Mecca), they say the Prophet will appear in Kelantan and that Kelantan is the gateway to heaven. Actually, Kelantan is the gateway to poverty."

Zam said the people had been indoctrinated too long with such thinking and that it was RTM's role to challenge this mindset.

And as a parting shot, he told those present: "This is not only a press conference, it is to open your mind as well."