At press conference, Langkawi MP again apologises for Karpal remarks

KUALA LUMPUR: Langkawi MP Datuk Nawawi Ahmad called for a press conference late Saturday where he again offered an apology to Karpal Singh's family over "insensitive" remarks he made after the DAP veteran's accident.

"I would like to express my deep remorse and regret on what happened the last two days over a posting on my private Facebook page," he told reporters.

"After some thinking, I have realised that I have done something unethical and unacceptable," he said.

The press conference came hours after he had posted the apology on his Facebook.

Nawawi said he removed the posting "when he realised that the post was strongly objected and condemned by the people."

Karpal was killed in an accident at about 1am Thursday while travelling in a car near Gua Tempurung.

Nawawi posted a gruesome picture of the accident scene attaching with it Karpal's "an Islamic state can only happen 'over my dead body' " newspaper article.

The posting also had a caption calling for those willing "to take up the challenge," which angered many people.

But Nawawi said the posting was created with his handphone while he was travelling in his car. He did not realise that it was offensive, he said.
"I didn't realise how bad the picture (of Karpal) was as my screen was very small.

"Maybe if I was with my computer, I might have realised how unethical it was for me to post such a picture," he said.

"I would like to extend my sincerest apology to his family and all Malaysians who were affected by the post," he said.

 Nawawi added that he had the highest respect for Karpal as a lawyer and a respected MP.

"I will always respect him as a highly capable MP and he has also projected himself as a man of principle, integrity and courage with noble constitutional spirit," Nawawi said.