Unity Minister urges probe into priest and nun joke at Umno AGM

PUTRAJAYA: National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang ( pic ) has urged the authorities to probe the controversy that made Catholic priests and nuns the butt of a joke during a speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly.

He said a proper investigation should be conducted if any legal violations are found, including under Section 298 and Section 298A of the Penal Code [Act 574] and relevant provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588].

He said regardless of intent, jokes that touch on religious institutions, religious figures, sacred texts or the beliefs of any follower should never be made and must not be taken lightly.

"Religion is not a laughing matter. Matters that are sacred and respected by a community should not be ridiculed, turned into sexual innuendo, or used solely to elicit laughter and applause," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 15).