As a businessman, I think it is time Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad should sue Newsweek and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for defamation and libel for their allegations that Malaysia was a launchpad for the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

This kind of allegation tarnishes the image of Malaysia. The psychological effect it has on investors and tourists are unmeasurable and we may never know how our tourism and business environments are adversely affected.

However, I do not support the ban of the magazine. To ban the American magazine would just give our critics more ammunition to fire at us.

Perhaps Mahathir could also allay fears by publishing a white paper on the contracts and projects in Malaysia given to Osama bin Laden's family. Otherwise, the government should sue the London Economist magazine for publishing such untruth, too.

Right or wrong, many of my American business associates are jittery about using the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after they learnt that Osama's family was involved in its construction. They would like to know which portion of it was built by the family. The security system? Canteen? Radar system?

Though we know that their fears could be unfounded, our government should be more assertive in dealing with the matter so that confidence is restored among investors and tourists who use our airports or would like to come to our country.