Christian group welcomes Umno man’s apology over lewd ‘joke’

Christian Federation of Malaysia chairman Eu Hong Seng said all religions and their sacred beliefs should be accorded equal respect and protection under the law. (Christian Federation of Malaysia pic)

PETALING JAYA: A Christian group has welcomed an Umno division leader’s apology over a controversial lewd “joke” involving the Catholic clergy.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said an apology "is an important first step towards restoring respect and trust".

“We urge all parties to receive it in that spirit,” CFM chairman Eu Hong Seng said in a statement.

But he also stressed that the government must ensure that the same principles and standards which apply to those who insulted Islam, are also applied when other religions and their adherents are similarly insulted or demeaned.

Eu said that all religions and their sacred beliefs should be accorded equal respect and protection under the law.