KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah earned the ire of former Barisan Nasional (BN) cabinet members today over an early Sunday morning tweet which has since been deleted.
This morning, Saifuddin posted on his Twitter account an update in which he spoke about 'not liking' the governments of two countries.
"Ada 2 negara yg tidak sy sukai kerajaannya, tapi terpaksa dilawati juga, 1 kerana urusan agama, & 1 lagi kerana urusan negara (sic)," Saifuddin posted.
(There are two countries that I dislike their governments, but I have to visit, one on religious matters and another on national matters.)
Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin responded on Twitter asking Saifuddin to behave like a diplomat.
"You’re the country’s top diplomat. Behave like one," Khairy said.
Meanwhile, former deputy foreign affairs minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said he found it shocking that a foreign minister could make such a remark.
"Honestly, it was pretty shocking to me for a Foreign Minister to make such remark - regardless in closed meeting or even social media.
"Being top official of foreign ministery - such remark is totally unwarranted and unprofessional," Reezal Merican said in a statement.
Reezal Merican added that while Saifuddin may argue the remark was made via his personal Twitter account, or his 'private sphere', that privilege was almost non-existent for a minister.
He advised Saifuddin to always get proper guidance from senior officials in the ministry before making 'such a reckless tweet'.
"Rest assured our officials are well-trained and professionals in their undertakings," he added.