The shocking pre-tax loss of RM1.3 billion suffered by Malaysian Airline System (MAS) - the highest in its history - showed that the government's bailout of the national carrier is proving to be costly for Malaysians, said opposition leader Lim Guan Eng today.

The DAP vice-chairman said Malaysians have a right to ask whether the billions of ringgit of losses was the reward for the RM1.8 billion investment by the government in MAS late last year.

He was referring to the government's decision to buy back shares from former MAS executive chairman Tajudin Ramli last December for RM1.79 billion.