DATUK Badruddin Amiruldin (BN – Jerai) apologised to Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) and the handicapped community for making an offensive remark against them in the Dewan last week.

The Jerai MP, who stood up during the debate on the Supply Bill 2008, said that as a Muslim, he should adhere to the good tidings of the Syawal month after celebrating Hari Raya and seek forgiveness.

“I would like to apologise to anyone who had been offended by my remark. Those words came up during a heated debate with Bukit Gelugor (Karpal Singh) recently.

“I’m a kind and loving person but I felt I was being provoked during the debate with Opposition members.

“I would also like to tender my sincerest apology to Bukit Gelugor,” he said.

Badruddin said Karpal Singh is also his friend, adding that he had even helped to push the veteran DAP MP’s wheelchair during a function held at Parliament House to celebrate Karpal Singh’s birthday.

Badruddin’s apology came about for calling Karpal Singh’s use of a wheelchair as “a punishment from God”, during a heated argument with him.

Karpal Singh was not in the House during Badruddin’s speech.

Met at the lobby later, Badruddin said he had made his apology as a Muslim and stressed that it was not due to any form of pressure.

“Since it’s the Syawal month, it’s the right time to seek forgiveness for the wrongs that we have made.

“I don’t want to offend anyone. I’m a caring person. Sometimes, tears well up in my eyes when I see a disabled person who had to be carried by his mother,” he added.

Asked if this meant that he would not repeat those words in the House in future, Badruddin replied: “Oh no, I cannot say this. I’m only human.”

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the apology, Karpal Singh said: “His apology can’t erase the damage done by his statement.

“I hope his apology is sincere and he will not repeat it again. I can forgive but I cannot forget the incident.”

• Maybank sells 9% stake of PT Bank International Indonesia
• KLCI closes 0.59% lower amidst Fed's end of stimulus, China slowdown
• More Singaporean companies making prompt payments
• Luster waiting for concrete offer before deciding
• Spot gold falls to lowest since January 2011
• Ivory Group to start phase 3 to 5 of Penang Times Square by year-end
• Japanese corporates might be eyeing Malaysia as operational hub
• MHTC eyes RM630mil revenue for medical tourism
• Lazada secures RM320mil fund
• MBM Resources targets RM4b revenue by 2015
• MRCB gets go-ahead for Nusa Gapurna merger (Update)
• Asian markets in the red, KLCI down 10 points at midday (Update)
• Malaysia PC sales hit 898,000 in Q1, 2013, Lenovo top vendor
• RHB Research maintains "Neutral" on auto sector
• Kulim Malaysia offers RM812.3m for another 20% stake in NBPOL (Update)

• China astronaut teaches lesson from space
• Singapore demands urgent Indonesia action on smog
• Assange says WikiLeaks assisting Snowden asylum bid
• Kim Dotcom slams Megaupload 'data massacre'
• Study: Jordan teens still 'honour killings' justified

• Murray poised to end Britain's 77 years of pain
• Steady as Jie goes
• Ferrer loses title after opening round loss
• Park preps for third major title bid at LPGA event
• Gavin Green confident he can take on title-holders this weekend
• Zhang switches focus on developing golf in China
• Thaworn hopes to find his ‘A’ game in Selangor Masters
• Paul Revington is glad to be back to train the Malaysian team
• Heavy task on Faizal’s shoulders
• Singapore Open: Chong Wei Feng fights to survive
• Rachel owes her rich vein of form to change in technique
• Future looks gloomy for men’s squash when Beng Hee calls it a day
• Khairy: RM8mil to be forked out for Sukma due to lack of sponsorship
• A chance for local cyclists to shine
• Rahul survives weekend of harsh hurdles in Norfolk

• Please wait.

• MCMC offers free money to small businesses, few takers
• It’s Honda Accord now for ministers
• Striptease queen married five times in search of true love, says author
• China’s Comtec to build one of world’s largest solar wafer making plants in Kuching for RM1.2bil
• Nightmare over topless pictures
• Haze: All Batu Pahat schools to close for two days
• Use of psychometrics assessment for employees can be controversial
• Singapore's air turns "hazardous" as Indonesian fires rage
• ‘Body buried 13 storeys deep’
• Haze: Muar’s 200 schools to close temporarily from today’s afternoon session