MCA Youth National chairman Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting has lambasted “wannabe stand-up comedian” Jocelyn Chia for poking fun about the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 while performing in the United States.
Calling it an “unwise move which has since backfired”, Wong noted that the target of Chia’s crude jokes may have been Malaysia but the stand-up comedian should not have touched on the passengers, crew and next-of-kin of the ill-fated flight.
“If Jocelyn Chia initiates remedial measures like apologising to Malaysia and the victims of MH370 for her deliberate gaffe, she would reveal herself to be able to differentiate from what is right and wrong and thus demonstrate maturity and humility, that there is still a ray of hope in her,” Wong said in a statement.
“Malaysians are united on this matter. We may have different political opinions. However, we do not take slander against our nation lightly, and we definitely cannot turn oblivious to anyone who makes mischief out of people’s tragedy where lives have perished.
“We respect the performances of stand-up comedians and the contents of their parody where they restrain themselves from crossing certain boundaries. It is not easy to be a stand-up comedian or to build an audience.
“However, the premise of jokes ought to be respectful and professional. Most essential, we must never trumpet other people’s grief as something inferior to a self-proclaimed exalted status.”
She said there needs to be a bottom line for humour where basic principles and respect must be upheld, failing which, insensitivities may just spiral out of control, offend people’s feelings whilst creating hatred and misunderstanding.
Wong, on MCA Youth’s behalf, also expressed her appreciation to Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon who has apologised to all Malaysia for Chia’s hurtful remarks and for clarifying that she is no longer a Singaporean citizen.
Meanwhile, Wong proposed that youth organisations should establish more performing arts training classes so that “interested and talented young adults will be able to receive formal training” and allow them to develop their strengths.
“With the rapid development of social media, not everyone will be able to distinguish between right and wrong or black and white. This is a reality that everyone must face up to,” she added.
Previously, an 89-second clip featuring Chia where the comedian had boasted about how Singapore was now a first world nation despite its then prime minister crying on TV after it was forced to leave Malaysia, which remains a “developing country” sparked outrage among Malaysians.
The comedian made statements that included inappropriate jokes as well as references to the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 on March 8, 2014. – June 9, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Nicole Wong
