Unity minister condemns Umno assembly joke on Catholic clergy, urges authorities to act

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has strongly criticized a joke made during the Umno General Assembly 2026 that ridiculed Catholic priests and nuns, warning that such behavior is unacceptable in Malaysia's multi-religious society. In a media statement, Dagang emphasized that jokes targeting religious institutions, figures, holy texts, or beliefs of any community are never acceptable.

He stressed that religion is sacred and should not be mocked, sexually-explicit humor, or exploited for laughter and applause. The minister urged relevant authorities to investigate the matter and take action if legal provisions were violated, citing specific sections of the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Dagang, while acknowledging the individual's willingness to apologize, hoped the incident would remind leaders and society to be more cautious when discussing religion and belief. He linked the controversy to the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara - Courtesy and Morality - which safeguards mutual respect and harmony in Malaysia's diverse society, rather than being just a slogan.