KUALA LUMPUR:Stressing that he has no intention to demean anyone, let alone insult others, UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has openly apologised to any party who was upset with his previous statement.

The apology was made by the Pontian Member of Parliament following his recent statement that only graduates with the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree can understand the need to hold the 15th General Election (GE15) as soon as possible.

Ahmad asserted that it never crossed his mind to humiliate others and any such behaviour that happened was unintentional.

"Yes, it is true that I apologise to those who are upset with me.

“It is not my nature to demean others, meaning it is not intentional," he said in a tweet on his Twitter page.

He made the statement after watching a tv news report showing the reaction of a coconut grater who thinks the GE was not appropriate to  be held at this time because the spread of COVID-19 is still happening.

Ahmad apologised while reminding himself of his origin besides stressing it was never his intention to insult others.

"Debating in the Dewan Rakyat is different. Even so, I have never insulted them.

“I was born into a poor family, the son of a rubber tapper. It is not my nature to insult people," he added.