Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has turned the tables on Rosmah Mansor's jet controversy by pointing to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's own jet usage.

This was after a photo of Mahathir in front of a jet emerged yesterday.

"If using private jets is an issue, I heard Mahathir went to Kuala Kangsar in a private jet, too.

"So if you want to point fingers, you have to look at yourself," Hishammuddin told reporters in Sungai Besar yesterday.

The Persatuan Mukabuku Penang Facebook page yesterday posted photos showing Mahathir posing with a group of people in front of a private jet.

There was also a photo of Mahathir's wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali together with former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan in front of the same jet.

When contacted, Khairuddin confirmed that Mahathir had flown to Ipoh on the jet, before being driven down to Kuala Kangsar to campaign in the by-election, but slammed critics for questioning it.

"Why are they so stupid? As a former premier, Mahathir has a right to use a jet," he said.

However, Khairuddin said he did not fly together with Mahathir, and thus could not confirm how many people were on board or who owned the aircraft.

Malaysiakini has contacted Mahathir's office for comment.

Mahathir had been taking jabs at Rosmah after PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli made a series of exposes claiming the prime minister's wife had misused public funds to charter a private jet for overseas trips.

Rosmah’s aide Rizal Mansor said the jet was a government-chartered aircraft, meant for VIP use and that Rosmah has the right to use the jet as she went to Istanbul on official business.