It’s not about ratings, says Minister

IT’S sheer co-incidence —and RTM thinks she’s got the looks and the gift of the gab.

Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said RTM1 wasn’t thinking about ratings war by airing …Ina the same time as TV3’s Siti Nurhaliza-Datuk K wedding reception and As t ro ’s programme on Ina’s ex-fiance, Mawi.
The shows are to be aired ‘live’ on Monday at 8.30pm.

“This is a co-incidence,” he said. “The date was decided even before Siti announced her wedding and the timing was based on Ina’s availability. We have no intention of competing with other stations.” “The …Ina programme is a good alternative for non-Siti fans. Don’t make comparisons. Come on, how could Ina possibly compete with a pop princess? Siti was also a product of RTM (winner of 1995 Juara Bintang RTM).

On Zainuddin’s previous chiding of the media for playing up sensational “fluffy” news, he said Ina’s show was di f f e re nt .

“Ina is not viewed as Mawi’s ex-fiancee but an individual with untapped talents. She has the looks, she wrote a book and is articulate. She has the potential of becoming a TV ho s t , ” he said.

“This is her chance to regain her self-esteem after going through the break-up