An online daily has denied accusation of demoting an assistant news editor over an article that Rosmah Mansor travelled on a government-chartered private jet to accept an award in Istanbul.

Media rights advocacy group Geramm said the assistant news editor was recalled to Petaling Jaya from Kuala Kangsar where he was covering the by-election, and demoted to the role of reporter.

"Media practitioners must be given the right to work as non-partisan journalists, despite inherent biases of a media organisation," Geramm said in a statement.

However, mStar refuted this, with a spokesperson stating the labour law is clear on this matter, and staff cannot be simply demoted or sacked.

It was also revealed that the assistant news editor was not demoted but called back to the headquarters to fill manpower shortage as some journalists had taken emergency leave.

Malaysiakini also learnt that the online publication took down the article because it was deemed libellous by the editors.

Rafizi's allegation was later confirmed by Rosmah's aide Rizal Mansor, who explained that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s wife travelled via the chartered plane because she had a tight schedule.

Rizal also said the jet was not chartered specifically for Rosmah, but for VIP use while the government jet was being fixed.

He said Rosmah has the right to use the jet, being the prime minister's wife.

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