Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has received brickbats from the opposition for publicly tweeting about having to visit countries with governments he dislikes.

Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the former deputy foreign minister, said he found it "shocking" that a foreign minister would make such a comment.

"Being a top official of the foreign ministry – such remark is totally unwarranted and unprofessional.

"He should always get proper guidance from the senior officials of the Foreign Ministry before making such a reckless tweet.

"Rest assured, our officials are well trained and professional in their undertakings," he said in a statement.

Reezal Merican said that as the foreign minister, Saifuddin also cannot claim to have a "private sphere" when commenting on social media.

Saifuddin, in a Twitter posting, had said: "There are two countries whose governments I do not like but am forced to visit, one for religious matters and another for a national matter."

He had since deleted the Twitter post.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also took aim at Saifuddin, tweeting: "You're the country's top diplomat, behave like one."

In a subsequent Twitter posting, Saifuddin said he accepted criticism, but hit out at those out to bash (balun) him.