{
  "id": 12789272,
  "title": "Sepang Umno chief claims trial over remarks on Christian clergy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/sepang-umno-chief-claims-trial-over-remarks-on-christian-clergy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T04:26:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1550366/sepang-umno-chief-claims-trial-over-remarks-christian-clergy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Noorazli Said, the Sepang Umno division chief, appeared in court today to contest a charge of deliberately offending Christian clergy during his September 12 speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly. The 48-year-old claimed trial after the charge sheet was read out before magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan. Noorazli is accused of intentionally hurting the religious sentiments of Xenia Lok Zou Chieh, 49, by referring to Catholic priests and nuns at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. He faces up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both under Section 298 of the Penal Code if found guilty.\n\nDeputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry requested a RM15,000 bail with one surety, while defence lawyer Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican argued for a bail reduction to between RM4,000 and RM5,000. The court granted Noorazli bail of RM6,000 with one surety and set a mention date for November 18. Following the controversy over his remarks, Noorazli had previously apologized and expressed willingness to accept any reprimand for the incident. His joke about Christian priests and nuns, intended to stress the significance of political wisdom, drew criticism from multiple parties. The police recorded 86 reports and statements from 93 witnesses regarding the matter.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Sepang Umno division chief Datuk Noorazli Said pleaded not guilty in the magistrate’s court here today to a charge of deliberately wounding the religious feelings of Christians during his speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly last month.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sepang Umno chief charged over controversial speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/sepang-umno-chief-charged-over-controversial-speech",
        "published": "2026-10-08T04:03:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Sepang Umno chief charged over Catholic joke",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/sepang-umno-chief-charged-over-catholic-joke",
        "published": "2026-10-08T04:39:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sepang Umno division chief charged with hurting religious feelings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/sepang-umno-division-chief-charged-with-hurting-religious-feelings",
        "published": "2026-10-08T05:47:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}