Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that the families of politicians should be left out of gutter politics and free from exploitation for political gain.

"This is the ideal in a modern democracy, you concentrate on policiy matters, you can debate about differences of politics, in terms of weakness of politicians.

"But you leave family aside... (rather than resorting) to exploit family members for political gains."

Najib was responding to the recent uproar after allegations were levelled against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his 16-year son.

Lim has been accused of trying to cover up claims that his son had outraged the modesty of a fellow school mate.

Najib, however, added that the principle of keeping family members out of political must apply both to the opposition and ruling coalition.

"I don't know about the facts of this case, but if you want to have certain ethics to exclude families, then everybody should do the same including the opposition."

Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, have been severely criticised by opposition politicians for her alleged extravagant spending.

Muhyiddin slammed by Pakatan

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had yesterday commented on the same issue, stating that Lim's denial was "not enough" and that he should ask the police to investigate.

The remark earned the ire of Pakatan leaders, who have condemned Muhyiddin for "implicitly" condoning the actions of pro-Umno bloggers, who have accused Lim of spending some RM200,000 to cover up his son's alleged case.

However, the principal of SMK Heng Ee, where the incident was purported to have happened, has categorically denied the existence of any such event.

The alleged 'victim' whose photograph was used in relation to the allegation against Lim's son, is 21-year old Anya Ann Corke, a one-time Hong Kong chess champion who is now studying in the US.

She has also denied having ever met Lim's son and expressed sympathy for the teenage boy.