KOTA KINABALU: Crude and vulgar jokes involving Catholic priests and nuns as well as the Bible should not be used on any political stage, says Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The Upko honorary president said that a Selangor Umno leader, Datuk Noorazli Said, had used such personalities to make sexual and inappropriate jokes while referring to a supposed quote from the Bible to make a point in the recent Umno general assembly.
The Sepang Division Umno chief and Selangor Umno treasurer had referred to Psalm 129 in the offensive speech, but used the wrong sentence that did not reflect the true meaning of this verse.
“Whether it was intended as a joke or an insinuation, it was grossly inappropriate and offensive,” said Tangau.
“Sacred Scripture, Catholic priests and religious sisters should not be sexualised or ridiculed on the stage of a major national political party,” he added.
He said the speaker should acknowledge his poor judgment, withdraw the false reference to Psalm 129 and offer an unconditional public apology to the Catholic and wider Christian community.
This speech has sparked anger and offence among many Christians, as well as Muslims.
Many have taken to social media to vent their anger, calling for Noorazli to apologise, for the party to be more mindful of cultural and religious sensitivities and to stick to issues that matter when giving speeches.
Many Muslims also expressed their embarrassment over this issue, while there are also those who apologised to the Christian community over the boorish behaviour.
