# Why Malaysian politicians keep apologizing without meaning it > A Umno official's half-hearted apology reveals how political contrition has become performative rather than sincere. - Title: Why Malaysian politicians keep apologizing without meaning it - Summary: A Umno official's half-hearted apology reveals how political contrition has become performative rather than sincere. Real apologies require genuine regret… - Keywords: umno, noorazli said, zahid hamidi, sepang division, apology, political communication, malaysia day, general assembly, sincerity, contrition, anwar ibrahim, malaysian politics - Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/opinion/2026/09/17/saying-sorry-is-not-a-competitive-sport/235481 - Author: Praba Ganesan - Published: 2026-09-17T10:47:41+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: umno, noorazli said, zahid hamidi, sepang division, apology, political communication, malaysia day, general assembly, sincerity, contrition, anwar ibrahim, malaysian politics ## Umno assembly joke backfires badly Sepang division chief Noorazli Said made a priest and nun joke at Umno's General Assembly to support party president Zahid Hamidi, but it sparked outrage during a time when Umno is trying to boost its Muslim credentials. ## Noorazli's apology lacked sincerity Two days after the joke, Noorazli apologized by saying if he hurt anyone, he was sorry. Critics noted this was not a real apology since it came with a condition and suggested he was only apologizing to appease voters. > if I hurt anyone, then I'm sorry ## He doubled down instead Sixteen hours after his apology, Noorazli posted a follow-up that was part rebuttal and part disgust, suggesting he was upset at being criticized rather than genuinely contrite. ## The internet changed the game In the past, state media could filter and control how people understood political gaffes. Now, grandparents and grandchildren instantly see the same content, forcing politicians to respond immediately to public criticism. ## Anwar and Zahid have done it too Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim apologized in July for calling temples illegal, years after making derogatory statements about Indians. Party president Zahid has made offensive comments about Umno Wanita Chief Noraini Ahmad's appearance. ## Apologies are not about the apologizer A real apology is about the person or community that was hurt, not about making the apologizer feel better. It requires genuine regret, humility, and willingness to make restitution. > When we say sorry, it's not about us. It is about the person, community, party or minority the apology is directed to. ## Qualifications destroy sincerity Malaysian politicians routinely add conditions, technicalities, or explanations to their apologies. A sincere apology stands alone without caveats or justifications for why the harm was caused. > I have yet to hear a Malaysian politician say sorry without qualification. ## Timing and delivery matter Apologies made in person carry more weight than those posted on social media. They also need to come quickly after the offense, not days later when the damage has already spread. > When apologies are made in person, rather than in a social media post, they carry more weight. ## Malaysia has a buried past Malaysia's history includes deep grievances that have often been buried or ignored. The internet is unearthing them one by one, and politicians cannot control this process. > This is a federation with a deep harrowing past, often buried. The Internet unearths them one by one. ## Three choices for politicians When mistakes are exposed, politicians can deflect, feign ignorance, or water down the issue. But these strategies increasingly look foolish as information spreads. The better choice is to confront the past and apologize genuinely. > Either deflect, feign ignorance or water them down, which appear increasingly foolish as the machines gather momentum, or find the courage to confront them and own the past. ## Apologies shape the future A sincere apology does not erase the past, but it shapes how people move forward together. It signals that a leader understands the harm caused and is committed to doing better. > Apologies do not solve the past, they shape the future. ## Apologies are not transactions An apology is not a quid pro quo where the apologizer expects forgiveness in return. The affected party has the right to accept or reject it, and that choice must be respected. > Apologies do not solve the past, they certainly are not quid pro quo. ## Key takeaway Real apologies require genuine regret and humility without qualifications, but Malaysian politicians routinely issue conditional statements that undermine their sincerity.