"I've xplained, apologized. I knw it can nvr be enough. Again I apologize to the family and the world. thank u 4 d advise."

This was the latest tweet from embattled Bernama journalist Ismail Amsyar on Thursday afternoon after his Twitter account was flooded with hate comments over his post describing MH370 as a blessing in disguise.

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To any dispassionate reader, the twitter post does not come across as insulting, and in fact sounded optimistic, but the use of the word "blessing" to describe a tragedy somehow touched on some raw nerves.

"MH370 is a blessing in disguise for all of us. I understand now the beauty of unity, the sweetness of having each other," read Amsyar's tweet.

But what caused a lot more ruckus was when Defense Minister of Malaysia, Hishammuddin Hussein, replied "Right u are :)", which his own Twitter followers deemed inappropriate and insensitive to the plight of grieving relatives of the MH370 passengers.

Hussein has since deleted his reply to Amsyar's tweet, but there was no letup in the flak Amsyar was getting.

The Malaysian journalist is reported to have received death threats over his controversial tweet. One response scorned Amsyar for having low journalistic standards.

"You're an insensitive fool. It's sad your corrupt superiors won't fire you," said another angry Twitter user.

Several other Twitter users showed understanding.

In between tweets about his news coverage for the day, Amsyar continued to post apologies and explanations on where he was coming from when he wrote the "blessing in disguise" line.

Amsyar also apologized to the Malaysian defense minister @HishammuddinH2O for dragging him into the controversy and pleaded with Twitter users not to hate the official.

"Once again, I apologize for the tweet I've sent. It wasn't meant to be insensitive. If the families hurt, so do I," Amsyar said.

Malaysian authorities had been careful about their pronouncements on the missing aircraft in order not to stir feelings of aggravation among relatives of the plane's Chinese passengers.  Many of these Chinese relatives had vented their frustration on the search and investigation by marching in protest to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.