Christian group welcomes Umno man’s apology over lewd ‘joke’

A Christian group in Malaysia has expressed relief after an Umno division leader, Noorazli Said, apologized for a controversial lewd "joke" at a recent Umno general assembly. The joke involved a priest and a nun telling a punchline that was mistakenly attributed to a verse in the Bible. This apology marks a significant step in restoring respect and trust among religious communities, according to the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

CFM chairman Eu Hong Seng emphasized that all religions should be treated with equal respect and protection under the law. He urged everyone to accept the apology in the right spirit, stressing the importance of consistent application of principles when dealing with insults towards any religion. Eu stated that the government must ensure that the same standards apply to all religions and their adherents to foster a society where everyone respects each other's faith and beliefs.

Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said's remarks, which included a joke about a priest and a nun, led to multiple police reports and calls for an apology. He delivered the apology on Monday. CFM urges politicians to rise above offensive and inflammatory language, instead using their positions to promote mutual respect, understanding, peace, and harmony among Malaysians. They warned that careless words can divide and wound, while wise words can build bridges and strengthen the diverse bonds that hold the society together.