DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang accused the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional of violating the 'no campaign' ban by airing a 90-second news footage on national television network RTM last night.

Lim dismissed the newsreel, broadcast during prime time on RTM 1 and 2, as government propaganda designed to win votes for BN in the coming by-election in Indera Kayangan where campaigning is allowed only after nomination day on Jan 10.

The veteran opposition said BN's ploy to instil the fear in the minds of Malaysians that the opposition front Barisan Alternatif stands for a 'Taliban Malaysia' was distasteful and dishonest, especially in the aftermath of Sept 11.

The footage began with attacks on PAS which has been championing the Islamic state cause. The images shown were meant to convey the message that it would be a repressive regime for women and chaos would reign if the opposition wins.

Clippings showed terrorist activities, riots, social unrests and demonstrations by the reformasi movement during former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's trial. The footage also suggested that Malaysians need to defend their independence and sovereignty from subjugation of foreign powers.

"The programme during prime time 8pm news is biased, tendentious and most unfair political broadcast calculated to paint the BA in the worst possible light," said Lim.

PAS is supporting Keadilan in the nine-day campaign in Indera Kayangan. The state assembly seat fell vacant when the incumbent BN representative Khor Liang Tee succumbed to cancer on Dec 19.

Observers expect BN to exploit the Islamic state issue to the fullest in this by-election.

No censure

DAP is taking BN to task for airing the programme though the party's central executive committee decided last week to distance itself from the campaign as it does not want to appear to be supporting a theocratic state for Malaysia.

Lim wants the Home Ministry to censure BN and RTM for violating campaign rules.

When contacted, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung denied that the programme was a campaign or propaganda.

"What appeared on TV was general information and a news item to the public," said Chor, who is also an MCA central executive committee member.

"It is not a Barisan Nasional campaign," he added and confirmed that no action will be taken on the two organisations.