We refer to the two main issues published by The Star newspaper and other Chinese national newspapers yesterday which has aroused a great deal of sensitivity. For clear reference, we will use the publication by The Star newspaper.

The first issue on the front page of The Star has got the captioned headline, ‘ Tiong’s plane ‘frozen ’ and this sensational heading has attracted immense unfair publicity. It amazes us how this newspaper (and some others too) is so powerful and that its arms are so long that it can apparently obtain information freely, even Official Secrets Acts (OSA) information. It is apparent that this newspaper is beyond the law and is a law unto itself.

Even since the Port Klang Authority lodged its police reports, we have cooperated with the police in their investigations. We have attended interviews and provided whatever information required in their investigations. In the process, the police categorically told us not to divulge to the press details about their investigations or its progress in order that they may not be hindered in the professional execution of their work.

In this respect, we have always treated the police as the professionals in carrying out their duties. In keeping with our trust in the police, we have always refrained from talking to the press on the status and the nature of their investigations. In the current investigation, however, we have kept silent to the press but nevertheless the press has come to know all the details within hours.

We have never frustrated nor hindered the police in their investigation. It appears that what we are asked not to do by the police, it is being done by the press. What baffles us in the past and today is 'How did the press get hold of the information when matters are under investigation?’

Does this not threaten the essence of the national security of the country and throw doubt on the integrity of security matters?

There exist clearly a breach of law, policy, etiquette, regulation etc here which necessitates the police and the home minister to carry out an in-depth investigation on how information could easily be accessed by the press.

On the matter of the freezing of assets, we have been inundated by telephone calls to confirm this freezing by the police. However, we cannot divulge nor disclose any information whilst the matter is under investigation.

In response to all the callers from the press who have apparently learnt of such information, we offered our apologies that we could not confirm the matter and asked them to call the relevant authorities since they seem to know more than us.

On the second issue which appeared in The Star yesterday, we would like to draw your attention to the captioned heading, ‘ No proof of payment – MACC probe on Tiong’s allegation against Tee Keat draws a blank ’.

The MACC has yet to complete its investigation. It baffles us how The Star newspaper has access to information that the MACC has completed investigation and that there is no proof of payment or that Tiong King Sing’s allegation against Ong Tee Keat has drawn a blank.

It further baffles us how The Star newspaper has information that ‘the MACC was expected to submit its findings to its legal and prosecution department, and to the attorney-general’s chambers for advice’.

The implication is that the investigation has concluded and MACC has come to a negative conclusion.

Who in MACC told The Star news reporter about such a thing? We shall be grateful if the MACC shall issue an official confirmation that the MACC has actually spoken to the reporter from The Star newspaper about its findings.

It seems to us that the whole matter has been orchestrated to politically facilitate Ong Tee Keat in enhancing his chances of ‘winning’ the votes over the resolutions to be tabled at the MCA’s EGM this coming Saturday when he faces delegates of his party.

We have no hesitation to state that The Star newspaper is the political mouthpiece of Ong Tee Keat and unfairly so at the personal expense of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and Tiong King Sing.

The writer is s deputy CEO, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd .