The DAP state assemblyman had earlier said the massacre in Christchurch should serve as a lesson for Malaysia to curb extremism.

“The damage is done and therefore I reprimand Chew for his insensitivity,” said Liew in a statement today.

Several hours after issuing the statement, Chew retracted it and apologised three times for the “misunderstandings” his statement had caused.

In his controversial statement, Chew spoke on the Umno-PAS alliance, and the potential threat this alliance posed, based on a narrative of religion.

Liew, who is also deputy defence minister, admitted that Chew had gone overboard and despite Chew’s apology, DAP acknowledged the “severity” of his statement.

Liew reiterated DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng’s stand that the attack, which left 49 dead and many others injured, was a crime against humanity.