Jocelyn Chia: US comedian calls Malaysia's reaction to MH370 joke 'ridiculous'

bbc ^

[BenLurkin]

Malaysian police said they would ask Interpol to locate Ms Chia, as they investigate her for incitement and offensive online content.

Ms Chia - who grew up in Singapore - called involving Interpol "ridiculous".

Interpol has not responded to questions from the BBC on whether it would act on the request for assistance from Malaysian police.

Ms Chia had joked in a viral video that Malaysian jets "cannot fly", referring to the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared in 2014 - a sensitive topic in the country.

Ms Chia mentioned MH370 in the context of the long-running rivalry between Singapore and Malaysia. The two former British colonies were part of one country until a bitter break-up in 1965.

"Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny huh? Some jokes don't land. This joke kills in Singapore," she said in a 90-second viral clip that was taken from her performance at Manhattan's Comedy Cellar on 7 April.

The video stirred uproar in Malaysia and was removed by TikTok, which cited a violation of its hate speech guidelines.

The reaction from Malaysia to Ms Chia's act comes as comedians in some parts of Asia endure closer scrutiny from authorities.

[Boogieman]

“The reaction from Malaysia to Ms Chia’s act comes as comedians in some parts of Asia endure closer scrutiny from authorities.”

So subversive comedy still exists in Asia? Maybe Lorne Michaels can send a talent scout over there.

[ConservativeMind]

“Hate speech” for a joke?

All such laws must be abolished.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

“Hate speech” for a joke?

All such laws must be abolished.

We aren't even able to effectively defend and protect free speech in the US. Expecting it in a Muslim nation like Malaysia might be a bit too ambitious.

[BitWielder1]

Bad taste is not illegal.
If it was, a lot of comedians would be out of business.
After all, anyone can declare anything they don't like as bad taste.

[dfwgator]

All I can think of is “Chi Chi Chi Chia!”

[ytrebil]

Ms. Chia performed this comedy routine at Manhatten’s Comedy Cellar.

[ro_dreaming]

Maybe Lorne Michaels can send a talent scout over there.

Only if they make jokes about Republicans, conservatives, Christians, or whitey.

[nickcarraway]

Earlier story about it on FR: Singapore Apologises to Malaysians for Comedian Jocelyn Chia's MH370 Joke [Club in NYC]