Kota Kinabalu: Umno must take a stand after its Sepang division chief Datuk Noorazli Said allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Catholic Church, Parti Warisan Strategic Communications Director, Christopher Masudal, said.
He called on Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to clarify the matter and state what action, if any, would be taken against the Sepang leader.
Lodging a report at the Penampang District Police Headquarters on Monday, he said the issue could not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric as it involved religious sensitivities in a multi-faith country.
He wanted the authorities to determine whether Noorazli’s remarks contained elements that could contravene laws relating to race, religion and royalty (3R).
The bigger question now, Christopher said, was whether Noorazli’s remarks represented Umno’s position.
Meanwhile, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau lodged a report, Tuesday.
He maintained that regardless of whether the remarks were intended as a joke or an insinuation, religious scripture and figures should never have been used in such manner.
“Sacred Scripture, Catholic priests and religious sisters should not be sexualised or ridiculed from the stage of a major national political party,” he said.
Madius said Noorazli should acknowledge poor judgement, withdraw what he described as a false reference to Psalm 129 and offer an unqualified public apology to Catholics as well as the wider Christian community.
