Umno leaders call on Sepang chief to apologise over lewd ‘joke’ on Catholic clergy

Umno leaders Salleh Said Keruak and Dr Akmal Saleh have urged Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said to apologize for a lewd "joke" he made about Catholic clergy at the party's general assembly. This call to apologize has been joined by Sabah MP Wilfred Madius Tangau. In his Facebook post, Salleh Said Keruak expressed his agreement with Tangau's stance, emphasizing that sexual jokes about Catholic nuns and priests are unacceptable.

He stressed that religion and religious figures must always be treated with respect, and that the Umno leader concerned should apologize openly and sincerely.

Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno Youth chief, also called on Noorazli to apologize publicly, adding that religion should not be the subject of jokes. He further pointed out that if the joke had been about a priest instead of a nun or a Muslim, the reaction would be the same. Salleh, a former Sabah chief minister, also highlighted the importance of tolerance and harmony among people of different faiths in the state. He noted that when wrongdoings occur, it is necessary to speak out, irrespective of who is involved.

Noorazli's joke revolved around a Bible verse that he claimed was Psalm 129, but it does not exist in the chapter. Tangau had earlier called on Noorazli to apologize to the Catholic community for the joke and for inaccurately referencing the Bible. The Catholic Lawyers' Society of Kuala Lumpur announced its intention to file a police report against Noorazli for the joke.

They urged him to retract his remarks, issue a full apology to the Catholic community, and refrain from using religious texts or figures for political purposes or humor.