KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 ― PAS will only eject journalists from its coming muktamar or general assembly if they write articles that are malicious, the party's deputy secretary-general said today.

Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said they are not particularly bothered if journalists decide to “spin” their stories, but stressed that any article published must be based on fact.

“If they spin it's fine, just don't make it misleading to the point of being malicious,” he said when met in the Parliament lobby.

Earlier this week, the PAS information and muktamar media committee issued a list of rules for media workers covering the general assembly and elections next week, which stated that journalists that provide unfavourable coverage will be banned.

The Islamist opposition party, which will see a contest for the presidency for the first time in more than 50 years, told the press to report the muktamar in a trustworthy manner and urged against spinning.

“If we find that there are any news which should not have been reported and which result in a negative impact in the opinion of the PAS central committee, the secretariat reserves the right to withdraw approval for coverage from the relevant media organisation AT ANY TIME without compromise.”

PAS also imposed a dress code for media workers: women are prohibited from wearing sleeveless T-shirts, tight clothing, or skirts with slits, while headscarves are “highly encouraged”.

Men are prohibited from wearing patterned shirts or shirts with “impolite” quotes.

The three-day muktamar, which starts on June 4 in Kuala Selangor, will see former PAS vice-president Ahmad Awang taking on incumbent Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for the top post.