Business tycoon-turned-politician Tiong King Sing today expressed regret over the allegation that the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor had used his company Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd's private jet for her personal trips.

tiong king sing 061009 The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Committee chairperson has instructed his lawyers to initiate legal action against the parties and the media involved in disseminating this ‘baseless allegation'.

In a press statement, the controversy-dogged Sarawak politician said: "It is ridiculous that such a baseless allegation without revealing any reliable figure could be published to tarnish anyone's image at their wish."

"Those who would like to publish the news should confirm with the Department of Civil Aviation or Immigration Department for the relevant records," he added.

Tiong, who landed in the limelight after the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal erupted, urged the media to put an end to irresponsible reporting.

"If such trends are not stopped by all means, one could publish any misleading or defamatory articles at their wish

"The media is obliged to publish only genuine and fair reports instead of speculations, or else freedom of press would be abused," added the well-heeled politician who also grabbed headlines with the revelation that he had allegedly given MCA president Ong Tee Keat RM10 million in cash.

Ong later denied the charge and blamed it on a plot authored by his internal detractors with the help of outsiders to topple him following his exposure of the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal, where Kuala Dimensi, the turnkey developer, was accused of inflating its claims.

‘ Invisible hands'

Meanwhile, Tiong also urged the media which published such news (allegation of Rosmah using the jet) to confirm the matter first, before running it.

"Or else, it would just assist irresponsible media with political agendas to monger a baseless rumour," he said.

Without mentioning names, Tiong also called on the "invisible hand behind all these dirty tactics" to immediately stop using the PKFZ issue to shore up support.

rosmah mansor najib 250609 02 "This person would resort to any means to achieve his own agenda by sacrificing others," he said in an obvious reference to the embattled MCA president and transport minister, who is now battling to remain in power.

News of Rosmah allegedly using Tiong's jet appeared on several websites, including the PKR-linked tvantara.

The report also claimed that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was ‘working hard' to clear his wife's name and prevent the possibility of her being dragged into the ongoing investigation.