DAP lawmakers slam UMNO leader's crude joke, reject conditional apology

Democratic Action Party lawmakers have condemned remarks made by an UMNO leader, describing them as crude and inappropriate, while criticising the subsequent apology as lacking sincerity.

Syerleena Abdul Rashid called for a shift in political culture, urging politicians to cease the pattern of offering apologies only after their statements spark public controversy. She said the practice undermines genuine accountability and reflects poorly on the standard of political discourse in the country.

Lee Chin Chen similarly rejected the apology offered by the UMNO leader, describing it as conditional and therefore insincere. He argued that meaningful apologies should be unconditional and demonstrate genuine remorse rather than merely damage control in response to public outcry.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the DAP and UMNO, with the exchange underscoring broader concerns among opposition parties about standards of conduct and accountability among government-linked politicians. The remarks by both DAP representatives suggest growing frustration with what they view as performative rather than substantive efforts to address controversial statements.