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Updated: 14/09/2026 07:34 PM

BN Sabah Wants An UMNO Division Chief To Apologise For His Remarks At UMNO General Assembly

Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup Credit: NRES

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) has urged an UMNO Division Chief to publicly apologise to all Christians over his remarks during the 2026 UMNO General Assembly.

Its Chairman, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, said that the remarks touching on priests, nuns, and the Bible were highly inappropriate, excessive, and did not reflect the maturity of a political leader.

"The excuse that it was merely a 'joke' should not be used as an excuse to cover up the impact and sensitivities triggered. Political differences never give anyone a license to toy with the religion and beliefs of other adherents just to get laughs or applause from the crowd," he said in a statement today.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup delivers his officiating remarks during the soft launch of International Sustainability Week at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, today.

Arthur, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, said all political leaders must respect the boundaries concerning the 3R issues involving race, religion, and the royal institution in order to preserve public order and national harmony.

He stated that BN remains steadfast in its principles of unity and the stability of a multi-ethnic society, and will not allow other religions to be used as political punchlines.

"In this regard, I urge the Division Chief to issue a public apology without any excuses or hiding behind pretexts, particularly to all Malaysians of the Christian faith who have been offended and hurt by that speech," he said.

-- BERNAMA