JOHOREAN Ronny Chieng recently had the honour of hosting The Daily Show, a highly popular US interview and satire programme on Comedy Central where he has served as a senior correspondent for years.
For those who don’t know what the fuss is all about, being granted the right to host such a high profile show – even for one night (Nov 23) – is a very huge deal! Such a gig significantly raises one’s profile not just in the entertainment industry.
Although now residing in New York City, shouldn’t Malaysia be celebrating his success in raising the profile of his homeland?
Here’s a thought – Chieng’s achievements should be honoured with a Datukship! After all, isn’t the criteria for such a title include getting to the top of one’s profession and putting JB (Johor Bahru) on the map?
Aside from The Daily Show, Chieng has helped create and starred in the ABC sitcom Ronny Chieng: International Student. The actor has also starred in films such as Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride, M3gan, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as TV series American Born Chinese.
Bestowing such an honour on Chieng would be a fantastic recognition of his achievements and perhaps tempt him to do more for his country of birth – whether by bringing his stand-up comedy shows to these shores – or even act as an ambassador of sorts, much in the same vein as Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.
Given that the next monarch will be Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, perhaps it is plausible that Chieng is given a special honour in the near future.
Why not? He has risen to the top of his profession on his own merits in the cut-throat US entertainment industry. Chieng has succeeded on the international stage and that’s certainly something all Malaysians should be proud of.
Let’s get all Malaysians behind this and start trending – #DatukshipforRonnyChieng! – Nov 27, 2023
Pics credit: Ronny Chieng’s Facebook
