A stand-up comedian's jokes about Malaysia's economy and the missing MH370 flight spark diplomatic backlash and debate over comedy's boundaries.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
A comedian made jokes about Malaysia during a performance in New York, including a quip about the missing MH370 plane. Many Malaysians found it hurtful, and even Singapore's government distanced itself from the comments, saying they don't represent Singapore's views.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should comedians face diplomatic consequences for jokes about sensitive tragedies like MH370?
👍 👎 Vote ↓Jocelyn Chia is NO LONGER Singaporean and her remarks does not reflect Singapore’s views.
Singapore’s High Commissioner’s statement, which was posted on Facebook, read:
Singapore’s High Commissioner Vanu Gopala Menon has spoken out against the comments made by stand-up performer Jocelyn Chia. The full statement below:
I am appalled by the gratuitously offensive comments made by stand-up performer Jocelyn Chia. 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. I sincerely apologise to all Malaysians for her hurtful remarks.
As our closest neighbour, Singapore and Malaysia enjoy a strong and multi-faceted relationship, with deep and cross-cutting ties. We also have unique historical and close people-to-people ties. Comments such as those made by Chia are unhelpful and undermine the close trust and friendship that both our countries and peoples enjoy.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, said on Twitter that he was “appalled” by Jocelyn Chia’s “horrendous statements”.
There’s this YouTube video where EX-Singaporean comedian Jocelyn Chia jokes about the missing MH370 flight and Malaysia, and it’s causing quite a stir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btvDjITSmg (Video no longer available).
Chia was performing at Comedy Cellar in Manhattan, New York, and she decided to poke fun at Malaysia’s economy and stuff.
She made a Malaysian imitation and went on about the MH370 flight that went missing, saying “like, my aeroplanes cannot fly” and “some jokes don’t land.”
So some Malaysians got triggered and thought it was very distasteful.
Jocelyn Chia discussed Singapore’s growth and how it became a First World country after separating from Malaysia.
However, she then started making jokes about Malaysia being a developing country and even added an MH370 joke, which some people found harsh and inappropriate.
The reaction to her joke was somewhat mixed.
Some people thought she crossed the line with the missing flight joke, but others felt that comedy is subjective.
The controversy centers on whether the joke is funny or simply offensive.
Jocelyn Chia might have ruffled some feathers, but at least it sparked conversation and got people thinking about where to draw the line in comedy.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re taking a joke too far or if it’s just light-hearted banter, you know what I mean?
So there you go, quite the debate happening ’round this whole MH370 joke by Jocelyn Chia.
Is it funny? Is it offensive? Are boundaries meant to be crossed in comedy?
My country, Singapore. After we gained independence from the British, we were a struggling little nation in order to survive. We from the union with a larger, more powerful country. Malaysia. Where are you from? Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysia. Malaysia. Okay. Yeah.
When my minister went on TV to announce that you guys had dumped us, he cried cause he thought, we’re not gonna survive without you. But then four years later, we became a First World country. And you guys, Malaysia, what are you now? Still a developing country. Oh, you Malaysia.
Isn’t that the best breakup revenge. Now Malaysia, y’all trying to come around like, eh, Singapore, you’re looking good luck. And we are like, I know, but why haven’t you visited me in 40 years? And you’re like, ah, yeah, I tried, but you know, my airplanes cannot fly.
What Malaysian Airlines going missing? Not funny, huh? Some jokes. Don’t land.
This kills in Singapore. Definitely a bad Yelp. I Yelp from the Malaysia. That’s okay. They don’t have internet.
Should comedians face diplomatic consequences for jokes about sensitive tragedies like MH370?
Be the first to weigh in.
