JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau has apologised to the owner of a tuition centre for presenting hampers with alcohol to two SPM top scorers at the centre.

Dr Boo explained that his supporters had donated the hampers and that he was supposed to attend the prize-giving event on Friday but was not feeling well and as such had sent his assistant Ng Siam Luang to represent him.

"A supporter bought the hampers and we did not check the items in it," he said adding that they overlooked the matter.

He added that they would get brand new hampers for them.

Dr Boo, who is also state DAP chairman, together with Ng and other party supporters, went to the centre to apologise to the centre's owner Azmi Nordin and the students yesterday.

Azmi accepted the apology and said he was proud to have such a leader and was grateful that Dr Boo had taken time off to visit them personally.

"It is normal for human beings to make mistakes," he said.

Azmi had earlier alleged that Dr Boo presented two hampers containing alcoholic beverages to his two students who excelled in their SPM examination last year.

Azmi's daughter, Norhazatul Eadora, 18, who obtained nine As was one of the recipients.

The other recipient was Tan Meng Cheng, 18, who obtained 7As.