GOING viral for all the wrong reasons, a recent tirade from Singaporean stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia has sparked the biggest cross-border crisis since independence (slight exaggeration).
Taking place in what she probably assumed was safe territory – the Comedy Cellar, one of New York’s most popular comedy clubs – an 89-second-long snippet of her stand-up routine was posted on various social media feeds.
Comparing and contrasting the differences between Malaysia and Singapore is a common trope among comedians from both countries – it is downright expected.
However, Chia’s “jokes” started off with invective, putting down a Malaysian in the audience and crowing about Singapore’s first-world status compared to Malaysia still a developing country.
"When my prime minister went on TV to announce that you guys had dumped us, he cried because he thought we were not going to survive without you.
"But then, 40 years later, we became a first-world country."
"And you guys? Malaysia, what are you now? Still a developing country," Chia said.
That was never going to earn her favour with Malaysians – not that it seems like she cares – but it was the comments about missing airliner MH370 that truly riled up Malaysian netizens and citizens of every kind.
"What, Malaysia Airlines going missing is not funny, huh?
"Some jokes don't land," she said.
MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing, China, carrying 239 passengers and crew.
Earlier this year, Netflix released a documentary series on the mystery behind the plane’s disappearance that was also poorly received by Malaysians.
"When you attend a show that features an incompetent lawyer turned unfunny comedian, this is what you get. Epitome of heinous human!" commented Intan Maizura Othaman, wife of MH370 crew member Mohd Hazrin Mohamed Hasnan.
Apparently, Chia has deleted or deactivated her social media accounts, but that has not spared her from the fury of Malaysian netizens.
I am a HUGE supporter of standup comedians, especially from this region. IDC that this S’porean said FU Malaysians bcs we make fun of them on stage too.
— Kudsia Kahar ??, Malaysian First (@Kudsia_Kahar) June 6, 2023
But I draw the line at turning MH370 into a joke. Not acceptable. A good standup never turns tragedy and deaths into a joke. pic.twitter.com/i8U7LILyeS
Not about mh370, not about she's not funny or what. That video of Jocelyn Chia - she's not making a joke. That is straight up hate speech. You can see from her face expression and body language of how much she detest ??.
— WSS (@_nowan_) June 7, 2023
Malaysian do not really care about how that Jocelyn Chia lady ‘joke’ on our economic situation.. because Malaysia does have flaws.. but once she started using MH370 as a ‘joke’.. thats it. she crossed the line. MH370 is a traumatic event for Malaysian but she made it a ‘joke’..
— Dina in VIP MODE (@adddinaaa) June 7, 2023
Jocelyn Chia forgot that Malaysia is a superpower…
— Afiq H. (@A_Hxrrxz) June 8, 2023
In cyber-bullying.
Malaysia’s own Harith Iskandar responded to the controversy with his own thoughts, pleading for empathy and sensitivity when it comes to making light of certain topics.
My response to Jocelyn Chia's clip which has riled up Malaysians pic.twitter.com/dbP1GBz1As
— Harith Iskander (@HarithIskander) June 7, 2023
"As a comedian, I respect the freedom of expression we comedians require to do our job.
"But it is equally important to exercise some level of sensitivity and empathy when doing certain material, especially deeply personal or tragic topics.
"Comedians, as artists, need to be aware of the potential impact our words can have.
"Comedy, like all art forms, is a subjective form of expression. That means what's funny to one person may not necessarily be funny to someone else," he said.
Earlier this morning, Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon confirmed that Chia is no longer Singaporean.
Ironically the original viral clip ends with her making a nonsensical remark about how Malaysians don’t have internet. This lack of foresight in addition to her comments sealed her fate. – The Vibes, June 8, 2023
