Unity minister calls for police probe over Umno man’s Catholic ‘joke’

National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang has called for a police investigation into an Umno division leader's joke involving Catholic clergy, according to reports. The joke referenced sacred scriptures and implied a harmful intent, prompting the minister to urge authorities to probe the incident under Sections 298 and 298A of the Penal Code, as well as provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Aaron emphasized that such jokes, which touch upon religious institutions, clergy, scriptures, or beliefs, should never be made and cannot be treated lightly. He stressed that religion is not a subject for humor and must be respected by all, regardless of their religious affiliations, ethnicities, positions, or political beliefs.

The minister acknowledged Umno chief Noorazli Said's apology for the joke, made during an Umno general assembly, and hoped the incident would serve as a valuable lesson for everyone. Noorazli's joke, which involved a priest, a nun, and a reference to Psalm 129, led to a police report being filed and demands for an apology from several figures within Umno.