THE Catholic Lawyers’ Society of Kuala Lumpur (CLS) has condemned remarks made by Sepang UMNO chief Noorazli Said during the UMNO Annual General Assembly on Sept 12, describing them as derogatory towards Catholic clergy, consecrated religious life and Scripture.
In a statement, the CLS said Noorazli had recounted a demeaning and sexually suggestive joke involving a Catholic priest and a nun, which he attributed to Psalm 129.
The society stressed that Psalm 129 contains no such content, saying the biblical passage instead speaks of deliverance and the triumph of the righteous over affliction and oppression.
According to the CLS, the attribution was factually false and amounted to a distortion of sacred Scripture for the purpose of a crude joke, causing offence to the Catholic community and wider Christian faith.
The society also said the remarks demeaned the dignity of the priesthood and religious life, which it said were held in high esteem within the Catholic faith.
“Such conduct, made before a large public audience at a national political assembly, is wholly inappropriate and unbecoming of any elected representative or party leader,” the CLS said.
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The CLS further invoked the Rukun Negara, noting that “Belief in God” (Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan) is its first principle, while “Good Behaviour and Morality” (Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan) is another guiding principle.
The society said it viewed the matter seriously because of its potential legal implications.
Depending on the full context and manner of dissemination, the CLS said the remarks could attract scrutiny under laws concerning sedition and offences relating to religion, particularly if they were capable of inciting disharmony or disrespect towards a religious community.
It also raised the possibility of scrutiny under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 if the remarks had been uploaded or disseminated through social media, citing provisions concerning offensive, obscene, indecent or false content transmitted with certain intentions.
The CLS called on the relevant authorities, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and police, to investigate the matter.
It further urged Noorazli to immediately retract the statement, issue a full public apology and refrain from using religious texts or figures as material for political rhetoric or humour.
The society reiterated its commitment to interfaith respect and understanding.—Sept 14, 2026
Main image: umno-online.my
