PETALING JAYA: An apology that comes with an “if” and only after public backlash and criticism from fellow party members is neither sincere nor unconditional, says MCA.
Its Ethnic Relations and Religion Affairs Bureau chairman Chan Wun Hoong was referring to Sepang Umno chief Datuk Noorazli Said’s response to the controversy over his “priest and nun” joke.
Noorazli had said following the backlash: “If my remarks have caused any misunderstanding or offended anyone, particularly the Christians, I humbly offer my apologies.”
Chan took particular issue with the conditional wording of the apology.
“A genuine apology needs to be sincere and unconditional, rather than with an ‘if’ and suggested only after public backlash, reproach by fellow party members and attributed to ‘misunderstanding’,” Chan said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 15).
He said the public response showed Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, knew when a line had been crossed.
“The widespread disapproval demonstrates that mocking another faith is unacceptable,” he said.
Chan said criticism from both within Umno and political opponents showed the outrage went beyond partisan politics.
Within Umno, Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh said religion should not be turned into a joke and called for a public apology, while Sabah Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said sexual jokes involving Catholic priests and nuns were unacceptable and also called for an open and sincere apology.
The backlash also extended beyond politics. Sayang Sabah Community Club deputy president Steve Johnny Mositun describing the remarks as insensitive and unacceptable.
The Star had also reported anger among Christians and Muslims on social media, with some Muslim users expressing embarrassment over the remarks and apologising to the Christian community.
Meanwhile, Chan also described the sexual innuendo in the joke as crude and distasteful, saying it trivialised sexual harassment and the sexualisation of women.
Such remarks, he said, also undermined efforts by Barisan Nasional and MCA to foster interfaith understanding and dialogue.
Chan also questioned the inaccurate reference to Psalm 129 used in the joke.
“A simple online search would have established that the quoted verse does not exist in Psalm 129. Anyone making a public speech has a responsibility to verify religious references before using them,” he said.
He added that Catholic priests and nuns undergo years of study and formation before taking lifelong vows of celibacy, saying the hurt felt by Catholics and the wider Christian community was understandable.
“It is never too late to offer a simple, sincere apology. Christians are taught to forgive, but forgiveness does not remove the need to correct a crass insult,” he said.
Chan warned that a conditional apology could further erode public trust in Barisan.
He added that the controversy had overshadowed other issues raised at the Umno General Assembly, including the cost-of-living pressures facing Malaysians.
As a police report had been lodged, Chan said the authorities should be allowed to investigate the matter independently.
