Malaysia lawmaker apologises for World Cup Hitler tweet

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Malaysia lawmaker apologises for World Cup Hitler tweet

A Malaysian lawmaker apologised Thursday for a tweet praising Adolf Hitler following Germany's World Cup win over Brazil, after Prime Minister Najib Razak rebuked him for his "unacceptable" statement.

Bung Mokhtar Radin, a politician with Najib's ruling United Malays National Organisation, congratulated Germany on Wednesday by posting on Twitter, "Well done... Bravo... Long Live Hitler".

Najib condemned Bung Mokhtar's comments as "unacceptable and wrong" in a statement issued by his office Thursday and ordered him to withdraw them.

"He does not speak for Malaysia, or for ordinary Malaysians, who understand Europe's tragic past, and respect its modern unity," Najib said.

"This should be a time of celebration for Germany," he added, wishing Germany "all the best" in the final against Argentina on Sunday.

Bung Mokhtar himself also tweeted an apology on Thursday after defending his remarks earlier amid criticism.

"When Germany whacked Brazil, I unintentionally said something that hurt d feeling of d ppl in Germany. MY SINCEREST APPOLOGY. LONG LIVE BUNG.." he posted.

Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1, dealing the host nation the worst semi-final defeat in World Cup history.

Germany's ambassador to Malaysia said on Wednesday that the embassy "strongly" rejected "the unacceptable allusion to the fascist regime of Adolf Hitler" who led Germany into the Second World War.

Bung Mokhtar has drawn condemnation in the past for statements deemed offensive and insensitive.

During a debate over a leaky parliament roof in 2007, he said: "Where is the leak? The Batu Gajah MP also leaks every month," referring to an opposition lawmaker's menstrual cycle.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-11