KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has challenged rumour-mongers to come forward these two weeks to confront him over allegations of the minister drinking alcohol and eating pork in his office.
The tourism, arts and culture minister did not rule out taking legal action against those who continued to spread lies and slander.
“I am not afraid to be ridiculed for saying it, but the fact is my office hasn’t hired any cleaners so far. Most of the time, dishes are washed by those who use them. We have also resorted to cleaning plateware used by visitors,” he said in a statement today.
“As for the keeping of alcohol in the office, it is merely based on the gifts that we receive from overseas guests of various backgrounds and cultures. Out of courtesy, I accept them but these gifts do not form my own personal belongings.
“It would be highly inappropriate for me to take them home as my own if the gifts were presented in an official event or capacity. As much as possible, we try our best to transfer such gifts to other recipients such as foreign officers or guests during dinners or casual events.”
The accuser in the widely shared WhatsApp message claimed to be a former deputy health secretary-general, claiming to have served three health ministers from MCA and one from MIC.
Tiong also shared that he had been laughed at for eating almost the same meals all the time.
“Whether dining by ourselves or hosting guests, it is either nasi lemak, (nasi biryani), or just KFC. It is only when we are hosting foreign guests such as those from China that we would order food from Chinese restaurants in hotels around Putrajaya.
“Which Chinese restaurants in hotels serve pork dishes? If the accusers know which one does, we would gladly like them to recommend them to us.
“Clearly, since I took office, I have indeed offended several persons in the civil service or in the industry who have self-interests because they do not want to make reforms. I will not compromise with doing the right thing.”
He added that no one should create racial conflicts and hatred for personal gain.
The outspoken minister had slammed Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin over her remarks on the revamped Malaysia My Second Home, or MM2H, programme.
He had also traded barbs with Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin. – January 5, 2024