UMNO leader Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii has apologised for mocking the death of DAP’s Balakong assemblyman.

The apology, issued via Twitter this afternoon, came hours after Razlan made fun of Eddie Ng Tien Chee’s death in a tweet, which had led to a severe backlash.

“I wish YB Eddie’s family condolence, and I sympathise with his passing. Sorry to the family of the deceased. May he find peace over there…” he said on his account, with the handle @razlanrafii.

The 40-year-old Ng, a father of three, was killed after his Nissan X-Trail crashed into the back of a lorry on the Cheras-Kajang road at 12.40am today.

Razlan, in his earlier tweet, had implied that Ng was a liar with an evil heart, and following his death, Malaysia would be more peaceful with one less liar around.

He earlier defended his tweet, saying Ng had accused former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno members of being thieves, adding that he still wished for the DAP rep to rest in peace.

However, the damage from his first tweet may be irreversible. Some social media users are questioning his sincerity in issuing the apology.

“Don’t act like you sympathise with the late man and his family when just a few hours ago, you decided to dance on his grave,” tweeted Nat (@DrawOurLives).

Udang (@_tigerprawn_) said Razlan’s first impulse upon learning about Ng’s death was to insult the deceased.

“He only apologised after KJ told him off. What does that say about him?” he said, referring to Rembau MP and former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Even with the apology, it doesn’t change his immature thinking as fast as clicking the ‘tweet’ button. I want him to learn his lesson well.”

Udang said if nobody had reprimanded Razlan, the Umno leader would likely repeat his actions.

“If the message sinks in, good for him. Alhamdulillah. Today is the day he learned a very valuable lesson on social media.”

ThisisArelong (@thisisarelong) cheekily told Razlan to “rest in peace” himself, as his political career is now over.

“Bury yourself outside Malaysia politics. You can start looking at Jobstreet. This is a lesson for us all. Rest in peace, Razlan.”

Antonio Samad (@Edie57929225) sarcastically said Razlan should be forgiven.

“He is from Umno? Just forgive him… because Umno has very little brain that functions.” – July 20, 2018.