The minister added that if his accuser is not willing to discuss the issue in a “more dignified and above board way” then he would not rule out taking legal action.
Challenging his accuser, Tiong said in a statement: “If it is all true, why not reveal yourself? Are you harbouring some guilt about something?”
The minister added that he usually ignored baseless accusations but the content of the false message was racially sensitive in nature with a clear attempt at inciting racial hatred.
Tiong said the accuser claimed to be a senior figure in the health ministry who had purportedly witnessed the minister ordering Muslim staff to clear up leftovers after the minister’s meals of pork and drinks of alcohol, which Tiong denied.
“I am not afraid to be ridiculed for saying it, but the fact is my office has yet to be assigned any cleaners so far,” he said in a statement. “Most of the time, dishes are washed by those who used them. We have also resorted to cleaning plateware used by visitors.”
He said that even when entertaining foreign dignitaries from China, food is sourced from Putrajaya hotels, which are all halal.
“I have even 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 briyani, or just KFC,” Tiong said.
Tiong denied keeping a personal stock of alcohol in the office but he did say it was present. “They are gifts that we receive from overseas guests of various backgrounds and cultures. Out of courtesy, I accept them,” he said, adding that it is diplomatically rude to decline gifts.
He added that alcohol is then offered to other foreign dignitaries during dinners or events.
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