ZAKI Yamani – who caused a social media storm after he posted a prayer on Twitter calling for the death of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang – has apologised for his offensive tweet. 

Zaki said he had taken note of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s tweet and friends’ views in reaching his decision. 

“I have taken note of Anwar’s tweet and friends views; I apologise to the wives of Abdul Hadi Awang if my tweet has hurt their feelings,” he tweeted. 

The PAS president had been in hospital after his health started deteriorating after Hari Raya Haji. 

Zaki’s tweet also asked for the death of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

Yesterday, Anwar asked Zaki to apologise immediately. 

“I regret Zaki Yamani’s rude behaviour and I ask that he apologise immediately,” he said. 

Hadi was discharged from Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Terengganu yesterday. 

Following Zaki’s tweets, new portal MalaysiaNow alleged that Zaki was Anwar’s senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin’s aide.  

Zaki clarified, however, that Zaki was not an aide to any political secretary. 

Yesterday, Shamsul urged news portal MalaysiaNow to retract its article linking him to Zaki. 

Shamsul said although Zaki used to serve as PKR Youth secretary when the former was PKR Youth chief, it didn’t carry any meaning in the current situation.  

“MalaysiaNow should retract its article linking me and the Prime Minister’s Office. He was the AMK secretary when I was the chief but it has nothing to do with the current situation or any official capacity. 

“I have contacted Hadi’s family through his son much earlier to find out about the PAS president’s health. On behalf of the prime minister and PMO, we pray for Hadi’s speedy recovery,” he said. – July 3, 2023.