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SHAH ALAM – Sabah political leaders have called on an Umno leader to withdraw and apologise for remarks involving Catholic priests and nuns that were allegedly used as sexually suggestive jokes during the 2026 Umno General Assembly (PAU).
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) honorary president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said religious figures, including Catholic priests and nuns, should not be subjected to sexual jokes or ridicule from the stage of the country’s main political assembly.
The Tuaran Member of Parliament (MP) said the remarks were inappropriate and could offend Christians nationwide, regardless of whether they were intended as jokes or satire.
“The speaker should acknowledge the error in judgement, withdraw the false reference to Psalm 129 and issue an unconditional public apology to Catholics and the entire Christian community,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Madius was responding to a speech by an Umno delegate who told a story involving a priest and a nun, including a reference to Psalm 129, during his address at PAU 2026.
Reports on the speech said the story was used to illustrate the importance of remaining focused and knowing the goals to be achieved.
Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak also criticised the remarks, describing them as inappropriate and insensitive to Christians in the country.
Salleh, who is also Umno Sabah treasurer, said sexually suggestive jokes involving Catholic priests and nuns were unacceptable and called on the Umno leader concerned to issue a public apology.
“The Umno leader concerned should apologise openly and sincerely. This is not about politics. This is about respect, responsibility and understanding boundaries that should not be crossed.
“In Sabah, Muslims, Christians and followers of other religions have lived together with mutual respect for a long time.
“This spirit of tolerance and harmony must continue to be preserved. When something is wrong, we must have the courage to say that it is wrong, regardless of who did it,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page.
