Umno Apology Demanded
Umno Leaders Demand Public Apology Over Controversial Clergy Joke At Assembly
Anonymous
Key Points
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Noorazli made the remarks while debating Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech, using the story to illustrate the importance of staying focused, knowing one’s goals and exercising political wisdom.
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The joke described a priest driving a manual Proton Saga who offered a nun a lift; when his hand repeatedly brushed her thigh while changing gears, she invoked Psalm 129, prompting him to withdraw it. Noorazli then gave the fabricated punchline, “Go forth and seek further up and you will find glory.”
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Noorazli is also the Selangor Umno treasurer, in addition to being Sepang Umno division chief, according to Wilfred Madius Tangau’s criticism of the speech.
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National Unity Advisory Council member Tajuddin Rasdi joined the calls for an apology, saying remarks of this kind have no place in a multiracial and multireligious Malaysia.
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The episode prompted expressions of embarrassment and criticism from some Muslims, while some Muslims also apologised to the Christian community over what they described as boorish conduct; social-media users additionally urged a police report, citing the country’s sensitive race, religion and royalty issues.
Umno leaders and civil society groups are demanding an apology from Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said over a sexually suggestive joke about a Catholic priest and nun that he told at the party's general assembly in Melaka. The Edge Malaysia reported that Umno Youth Chief Akmal Saleh called for a public apology, joining critics who say religious figures should never be used as political punchlines in Malaysia's multireligious society.
Noorazli told the joke while debating party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's policy speech, using it to illustrate the importance of staying focused and exercising political wisdom. The joke described a priest in a manual car repeatedly brushing a nun's thigh while changing gears; she invoked Psalm 129 to make him stop. Noorazli then added a fabricated punchline attributed to that Bible verse. Free Malaysia Today noted that Noorazli has apologized but said the joke came from a widely circulated video and he meant no religious insult.
Religious Leaders Condemn False Bible Attribution
Critics point out that Noorazli's punchline—"Go forth and seek further up and you will find glory"—does not appear anywhere in Psalm 129. Malaysia Yahoo News reported that Sabah leaders Wilfred Madius Tangau and Arthur Kurup demanded he withdraw the fake Bible reference and apologize to Catholic and Christian communities. National Unity Advisory Council member Tajuddin Rasdi said such remarks have no place in a multiracial, multireligious nation.
The Catholic Lawyers' Society of Kuala Lumpur announced plans to lodge a police report over the remarks. Dayak Daily reported that PRS Youth Chief Christopher Gira Sambang also condemned the joke as lewd and called for a formal apology.
Noorazli Offers Qualified Apology While Defending Intent
Scoop.my reported that Noorazli has made a qualified apology, insisting he never intended to insult any religion and framing the joke as a mere analogy. He said the story came from a widely circulated video and indicated he was prepared to apologize if his words caused misunderstanding. However, critics argue this falls short of a genuine, unqualified apology to affected communities.
Social Media and Muslim Community Express Embarrassment
The episode has sparked embarrassment among some Muslims, who have taken to social media to apologize to the Christian community over what they describe as boorish conduct. Some users have also urged authorities to lodge a police report, citing Malaysia's sensitive laws around race, religion, and royalty. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions around how public figures address faith and scripture in Malaysia's diverse society.
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