“In the spirit of Ramadan, I, as a father and husband, offer my humble unreserved apology to the wife, children, and family members of the deceased (Wan Mohammad Khai-ril), as well as to the divisions, state and central party leadership.

“My unreserved apology shows my utmost sincerity in expressing sympathy on the fate that has befallen the deceased’s family,” said Nizar.

Nizar, the deputy chairman of Perak Amanah, had recently said that the Kuala Kangsar by-election was “divine intervention” to teach BN a lesson for overthrowing his administration in the state, back in 2009.

This was after Mastura’s husband, Wan Mohammad Khai-ril was killed in a helicopter crashed in Sarawak last month.

His comments received widespread backlash from many quarters.

Despite his apology, Nizar claimed that his original remark had been taken out of context by print and social media.

He said media outlets had deliberately interpreted his remark far off its original meaning to “cause hurt, insult or any feelings of unease to all concerned.”

Earlier today, Mastura told a press conference that she had forgiven Nizar for his remark.

“As a normal human being like all of you, such words hurt my feelings, as well as that of my children. But I forgive Nizar as I believe Allah will show all the truth,” she said.

Mastura also denied that she was a “forced” candidate in Kuala Kangsar, saying she herself decided to contest as she wanted to continue what her late husband Wan Mohammad Kha-iril Anuar Wan Ahmad had done for the constituency.