Tasik Biru rep: Don’t turn religion into a political joke, then think an apology will fix it

Datuk Henry Harry Jinep

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 16: Holy scriptures, priests and nuns are no joke, and political leaders cannot assume they can say anything from the stage and simply wipe it away with a social media apology when the backlash comes, said Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.

Jinep said remarks involving religion and religious figures demanded greater responsibility, particularly when made at a national political gathering.

He was referring to remarks by Sepang Umno chief Datuk Noorazli Said at the recent Umno General Assembly, which Jinep said allegedly used Catholic priests, nuns and passages from the Holy Scriptures as comparisons and in sexually suggestive jokes.

“Religion and the Holy Scriptures are not material to be made into jokes, sarcasm or sexual analogies to strengthen a political argument,” he said in a statement shared on his social media on Tuesday (Sept 15).

Jinep said such remarks went beyond humour as they touched on the dignity and sensitivities of millions of religious believers in Malaysia.

He also questioned how a passage from Psalm 129 could be taken and linked to something sexual in a political speech.

“The Holy Scriptures are not a joke. Priests are not a joke. Nuns are not a joke. And a person’s faith is not something to be played with simply to obtain applause or a reaction from the crowd,” he said.

While taking note of the apology issued, Jinep questioned whether an apology on social media could resolve the matter after the remarks had already been heard by the public and circulated nationwide.

“As a Sarawak representative and a Catholic, and as the majority of my constituents are also Christians, I cannot simply remain silent,” he said.

Jinep stressed that every religion in Malaysia had a dignity that must be respected, adding that the country’s diversity should make leaders more careful and mature in choosing their words.

He cited Sarawak’s experience of religious coexistence, where mosques, churches and temples stand alongside one another and communities celebrate festivals and attend each other’s open houses.

“We may be different in our beliefs, but we can still sit at the same table as human beings.

“This is the Sarawak we want. This is the Malaysia we want,” he said.

Jinep, who is also Deputy Minister of Transport (Marine and River), said freedom of speech came with responsibility, as did speaking before a public audience and holding a leadership position.

He said people did not need to share the same faith to respect what was sacred to others.

“That is the true foundation of living in a diverse society — not merely accepting differences, but respecting them,” he said. — DayakDaily