KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar suffered minor injuries after his bicycle hit a pothole, causing him to fall in Banting, in Selangor state on Sunday morning (Dec 27).

He tweeted pictures of his bruised face and the culprit: a pothole on the side of the road near a ditch.

"Pothole, ditch, KJ. 2020 keeps giving," tweeted Khairy, who is also the newly-elected president of the Negeri Sembilan state Cycling Association.

His tweet prompted the Kuala Langat district's Public Works Department, which is in charge of the roads in Banting, to apologise to him.

"Kuala Langat JKR apologises for the incident that befell the minister, will take immediate action over the issue and pray for YB's speedy recovery," it said.

Responding to the apology, a youth leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Selangor said the department should apologise to other road users as well.

"There are many potholes under its watch and was the intention to apologise only after an accident involved a minister?" PKR Youth chief for Kuala Langat Mohd Shah Rezza Mohd Tuniman said in a statement, as quoted by Malaysiakini news site.

Responding to Mr Khairy's post, a number of Twitter users urged the minister to do something about poor road conditions in Malaysia, even in his home state of Negeri Sembilan.

"Lots of holes along the roads everywhere YB, even in Nilai. Need to urge the (Municipal) Councils of each district to look and act thoroughly on this matter so accidents and such won't happen," wrote on Twitter user.

Some shared pictures of their injuries from similar accidents but most just wished Mr Khairy a speedy recovery.

The minister's aide Raja Syahrir Abu Bakar later tweeted that the minister suffered only scrapes and bruises.

"Thank you everyone for reaching out. @khairykj is fine. A little bruised up but all is good."