KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen is suing a Dutch businessman for allegedly defaming her by accusing her of soliciting a bribe.

Her ministry confirmed to Xinhua on Thursday that the minister is seeking damages as well as an apology from the founder of an advertising agency.

Ng said that the businessman had defamed her in his interview on March 18 with a local radio station, saying she had solicited a bribe through a third party from him over the ministry's advertising tender process.

His complaint over the radio prompted the Malaysian graft busters to launch an investigation into the Tourism Ministry.

An assistant to the accused told Xinhua by phone that the latter is sticking to his statements and is deciding the next course of action.

The advertising agency had worked with the ministry on the popular 'Malaysia, Truly Asia' campaign until last month, when the agency was said to have been asked for bribes in exchange for an extension to their contract.