Kota Kinabalu: Upko’s Tuaran MP and Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau called on Sepang Umno Chief Noorazli Said to apologise to the Catholic community for making a sexual joke about the clergy as well as a false reference to the Bible at the recent Umno general assembly.
In a Facebook post, Madius said the joke was “grossly inappropriate and offensive”.
“Sacred Scripture, Catholic priests and religious sisters should not be sexualised or ridiculed from the stage of a major national political party,” he said.
Several Facebook users in the comments section of Tangau’s post urged him to lodge a police report against Noorazli, saying the joke clearly touched on matters of religion.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) also urged Noorali to publicly apologise to all Christians over his remarks.
Its Chairman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the remarks were highly inappropriate, excessive and did not reflect the maturity of a political leader.
“The excuse that it was merely a ‘joke’ should not be used as an excuse to cover up the impact and sensitivities triggered.
Political differences never give anyone a licence to toy with the religion and beliefs of other adherents just to get laughs or applause from the crowd,” he said in a statement.
Arthur, who is also Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said all political leaders must respect the boundaries concerning the 3R issues involving race, religion, and the royal institution in order to preserve public order and national harmony.
He stated that BN remains steadfast in its principles of unity and the stability of a multi-ethnic society, and will not allow other religions to be used as political punchlines.
“In this regard, I urge the Division Chief to issue a public apology without any excuses or hiding behind pretexts, particularly to all Malaysians of the Christian faith who have been offended and hurt by that speech,” he said.
Meanwhile, two Umno leaders also called on Noorazli to apologise.
Sabah Umno veteran Salleh Said Keruak said he fully agreed with Tangau’s stand on Noorazli’s remarks.
“Whatever the intention, making sexual jokes involving Catholic nuns and priests is unacceptable. Religion and religious figures must always be treated with respect.
“The Umno leader concerned should apologise openly and sincerely. This is not about politics. It is about respect, responsibility, and knowing where the line should be drawn,” he said.
Salleh, a former Sabah Chief Minister, said Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths have lived together in the State in “mutual respect for generations”.
“This spirit of tolerance and harmony is something we must continue to protect. When something is wrong, we should have the courage to say so, regardless of who is involved,” he said.
Umno Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh also called on Noorazli to apologise publicly, saying religion should not be made the subject of jokes.
“Imagine if the joke about the priest had instead been directed at an imam and Muslims. Surely, we would also be angry.
“If we would be angry at being treated that way, we should not treat others in the same manner,” he said in a Facebook post.
