KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 15 -- National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has denounced a controversial remark made during the Umno General Assembly 2026 that used Catholic priests and nuns as the subject of a joke, warning that such conduct crosses a line that must not be tolerated in Malaysia's multi-religious society.

In a media statement today, Dagang said he views the controversy seriously, stressing that jokes touching on religious institutions, religious figures, holy texts or the beliefs of any community are never acceptable, regardless of the intent behind them.

"Religion is not a joke," the minister said, adding that matters held sacred by a community should never be mocked, turned into sexually-toned humour, or exploited merel...