{
  "id": 7289490,
  "title": "Umno division leader prepared to apologise over lewd ‘joke’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/umno-division-leader-prepared-to-apologise-over-lewd-joke-7289490",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T09:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/14/umno-division-leader-prepared-to-apologise-over-lewd-joke"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said has stated he is prepared to apologize if his recent \"joke\" involving the Catholic clergy offended the Christian community. The incident occurred during the party's general assembly over the weekend when Noorazli used an analogy to emphasize the importance of focus, perseverance and wisdom. However, the joke, which he attributed to Psalm 129 in the Bible, did not actually feature in that chapter. Noorazli acknowledged that any anecdote referencing religion could be misunderstood, particularly in Malaysia's diverse society. He emphasized that the intention was never to insult, belittle or demean anyone or a religion. The joke drew criticism from two Umno leaders and an MP from Sabah, as well as the Catholic Lawyers Society of Kuala Lumpur, which plans to file a police report.",
  "summary": "Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said also says the joke was an analogy and that he never meant to insult anyone.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "'Imagine if it was an imam': Akmal slams Catholic joke, tells Umno delegate to apologise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/imagine-if-it-was-an-imam-akmal-slams-catholic-joke-tells-umno",
        "published": "2026-09-14T07:00:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Umno leaders call on Sepang chief to apologise over Catholic clergy joke",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/umno-leaders-call-on-sepang-chief-to-apologise-over-catholic-clergy",
        "published": "2026-09-14T07:43:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Catholic Lawyers' Society condemns UMNO leader's derogatory remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/catholic-lawyers-society-condemns-umno-leaders-derogatory-remarks",
        "published": "2026-09-14T08:27:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}