Salahuddin, who was the domestic trade and cost of living minister, was also the Pulai MP and Simpang Jeram assemblyman.

Lau allegedly tweeted: “Is it OK if I contest for the Pulai by-election?”

Social media users were quick to hit out at the senator over his posting, which has since been deleted.

Netizens accused the Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman of being insensitive in his posting, with @dochelmy describing Lau’s posting as “sickening”.

He said Lau’s tweet came less than 24 hours after the Amanah deputy president died.

Meanwhile, @JustinTWJ quipped that Gerakan’s real name was “Gelakan”, or laughter in Bahasa Malaysia. “The president of the clown party, everyone,” he said in a jibe at Lau.

Another user, @bumilangit, posted a screenshot of Lau’s now-deleted posting and said: “Do you think you can settle the matter simply by deleting (your post)?”

Lau has since denied tweeting the post, according to Malaysiakini.

“This person is using a fake account,” he was quoted as saying.