From The Straits Times    |
Jocelyn Chia MH370

Screenshots from Comedy Cellar/Twitter

Comedian Jocelyn Chia, an ex-Singaporean, is under fire after making insensitive remarks about Malaysians and the tragedy of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 during a stand-up set at the renowned Comedy Cellar in New York. In a clip that circulated on social media, Jocelyn used the disappearance of MH370 as a punchline, causing outrage among Malaysian netizens.

An 89-second video clip of her set posted on Instagram showed the New York-based Jocelyn poking fun at the ongoing rivalry between Singapore and Malaysia, and making several expletive-laden snipes at Malaysians in the audience.

“My airplanes cannot fly”

“When my prime minister went on TV to announce that you guys had dumped us, he cried because he thought we were not gonna survive without you,” Jocelyn said, referring to Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who announced the island state’s separation from Malaysia in 1965.

“But 40 years later, we became a First World country. And you guys, Malaysia, what are you now? Still a developing country,” she said to laughs at the Comedy Cellar in New York City.

“Now, Malaysia you all are trying to come around, like, ‘Hey Singapore, you’re looking good lah.’ And we’re like, ‘I know, but why haven’t you visited me in 40 years?’,” she added.

“And (Malaysia’s) like, ‘Yeah I tried, but you know, my airplanes cannot fly,’ ” Jocelyn said to more laughter but also some audible gasps from the crowd.

“Why, Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny huh? Some jokes don’t land,” she said, referring to the MH370 plane that left Kuala Lumpur for Beijing in March 2014 but never arrived. To date, the aircraft has not been located.

Crossing a line

The clip drew the ire of many Malaysians shortly after it was posted.

Radio broadcaster Kudsia Kahar was one Malaysian who took offence, writing on Twitter that she drew the line at turning MH370 into a joke.

“Not acceptable. A good stand-up never turns tragedy and deaths into a joke,” she said.

Renowned Malaysian stand-up comedian and actor Harith Iskander also weighed in on Wednesday, remarking that Chia’s joke displayed “insensitivity” towards the MH370 tragedy.

“I respect the freedom of expression that we comedians require to do our job, he said in a video he posted on Twitter.

“But it is equally important to exercise some level of sensitivity and empathy when doing certain material, especially topics that are deeply personal or tragic.”

Harith added that while Malaysia is still a developing nation, the country was “definitely First World” when it comes to “kindness and thoughtfulness”.

Others said Jocelyn’s set would upset the family members of the 227 passengers and 12 crew members who were aboard the missing plane.

Responding to a critic on her Instagram page, Chia, an alumnus of St Nicholas Girls’ School and National Junior College, wrote: “Tragedy plus time = comedy. It’s been long enough man.”

The naturalised American added that the criteria for comedy is whether a topic or material can be made funny.

Singapore government responds

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan condemned Jocelyn’s remarks on Thursday, and apologised for the “offence and hurt caused to all Malaysians”.

“I am appalled by her horrendous statements,” he tweeted in response to Malaysian politician Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. “She certainly does not speak for Singaporeans. We treasure our ties with family and friends in Malaysia.”

Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Vanu Gopala Menon, was similarly sorry for Chia’s “hurtful remarks” and “gratuitously offensive comments”.

In a Facebook post, he said: “The Singapore Government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others and Chia, who is no longer Singaporean, does not in any way reflect our views…

“As our closest neighbour, Singapore and Malaysia enjoy a strong and multi-faceted relationship, with deep and cross-cutting ties… Comments such as those made by Chia are unhelpful and undermine the close trust and friendship that both our countries and peoples enjoy.”

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

Coach ID Lanyard
Now $75
Original price: $168
Shop Now
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
Now $88
Original price: $162
Shop Now
BaByliss Air Pro 2300
Now $63
Original price: $144
Shop Now
Abib Collagen Eye Patch
Now $19
Original price: $35
Shop Now