Businessman Soh Chee Wen (photo) today denounced his former political mentor, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, as a "liar" for repeatedly denying previous business links between the duo.

He accused Ling, who is also transport minister, of having abused his position to conduct business deals between 1996 and 1997.

The businessman, who is facing a commercial crime trial, cited Linksun Avenue Sdn Bhd's acquisition of Berjaya Industrial Bhd in late 1996 as an example.

"He (Ling) was involved from Day One, namely taking part in planning, negotiations and later business meetings to look for projects. We had meetings in his house and his ministry office. Yes, Ling used his ministry premises and facilities to conduct his businesses," he told a press conference at the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel in Selangor.

Linksun Avenue was owned by Ling's eldest son Hee Leong who made a meteoric rise in the corporate world when he acquired Berjaya Industrial (later renamed Rekapacific Bhd) from business tycoon Vincent Tan for RM1.2 billion.

Soh said this afternoon's revelation was just "the beginning of a series of actions to clear my name and let the public know the truth".