Umno division leader prepared to apologise over lewd ‘joke’

 Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said also says the joke was an analogy and that he never meant to insult anyone.

Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said said this incident had taught him a lesson to be more cautious when using analogies in future as these can be easily misconstrued. (Umno pic)

PETALING JAYA:

An Umno division leader who sparked controversy over a lewd “joke” involving the Catholic clergy said he is prepared to apologise if his actions had insulted the Christian community.

In a Facebook post, Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said said the point he was trying to make, through the joke he told at the party’s general assembly on Saturday, was the need for focus, perseverance, and wisdom to achieve one’s goal.

“It was never meant to insult, belittle, or demean anyone or a religion.

“However, I understand that any anecdote touching on religious figures or referencing religion can be construed differently and cause misunderstanding, especially in Malaysia’s plural society,” he said, adding that the joke was an analogy.

He said the episode had taught him a lesson — to be more cautious when it comes to using analogies in future.

Noorazli’s joke involving a priest and a nun hinged on a punchline he attributed to Psalm 129 in the Bible, but which does not actually appear in the chapter.

The joke prompted two Umno leaders and an MP from Sabah to call on Noorazli to issue an apology.

The Catholic Lawyers’ Society of Kuala Lumpur has also said it would file a police report over the matter. - FMT