Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Rizal should have been allowed in to answer the accusations hurled at the prime minister’s wife.

“If he is brave, he would be prepared to meet the media or whoever is representing the individual he is making accusations against.

“Brave because you are right, fearful because you are wrong,” he told reporters, Malaysiakini reported today.

Rafizi is often heralded as a hero for his exposes. Today, he asked why a private jet had been rented to fly Rosmah to Istanbul when the government owned two planes.

Rizal, who had attempted to enter the press conference, was barred entry.

Zahid said the incident showed that the person regarded as being brave for exposing alleged wrongdoings and scandals, actually lacked courage.