SEPANG UMNO division chief Datuk Noorazli Said was charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday with deliberately wounding the religious feelings of a Christian over remarks about Catholic priests and nuns during the party’s 2026 general assembly in September.
Noorazli, 48, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri.
According to the charge, he allegedly acted with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of the complainant, Xenia Lok Zou Chieh, 49, who is a Christian, by making remarks concerning Catholic priests and nuns.
The alleged offence took place at 11.20 am on Sept 12 at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Tun Ismail, during the UMNO General Assembly (PAU) 2026.
The charge was brought under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry proposed bail of RM15,000 with one Malaysian surety.
Defence counsel Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican, representing Noorazli, sought a lower bail amount of between RM4,000 and RM5,000.
“Overall, we have to look at the intention, whether the intention was genuine or not. Secondly, his actions in seeking reconciliation, his willingness to apologise and so on,” he said.
The court granted Noorazli bail of RM6,000 with one surety. The case was fixed for mention on Nov 18 for the submission of documents.
On Sept 17, police said they had received 86 reports over the incident and recorded statements from 93 witnesses, including members of the public, event organisers, UMNO delegates and Noorazli.
On Sept 14, Noorazli said he was prepared to apologise if his remarks about priests and nuns during PAU 2026 had caused misunderstanding or offended anyone, particularly members of the Christian community.
He also stressed that the story he shared while debating the UMNO president’s policy speech was not intended to insult, belittle or ridicule any individual, belief or religion. - October 9, 2026
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