Menteri perpaduan gesa ‘jenaka’ Noorazli disiasat

The Senior Minister of Religious Harmony, Aaron Ago Dagang, has called for investigations and an inquiry into a speech that contained crude mockery targeting a Catholic priest by a Sepang Umno district chief. Aaron stated that such remarks need to be probed under Section 298 and 298A of the Sedition Act, as they were meant to wound the religious sentiments of others and cause division based on faith.

He also emphasized that such mockery of religious institutions, doctrines, holy books or beliefs of any follower is unacceptable and cannot be treated lightly. Religion is not fodder for mockery. Sacred matters revered by a community should not be manipulated, used as sexual innuendos or merely for laughter and ridicule, he added.

Aaron also accepted the request for an apology from Sepang Umno district chief Noorazli Said regarding his remarks, and hoped that the matter would serve as a lesson for all involved. The incident led to a police report being filed against him, aside from the district chief, Umno Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno Sabah Treasurer Salleh Said Keruak and Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau demanding an apology.

The district chief claimed he had already apologized if he had caused misunderstanding or offended anyone, but later changed his Facebook post to express that he sought an apology instead of stating he had already done so.