No News Is Bad News
For heaven’s sake, move on Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15, 2023: Singaporean-born American stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia is absolutely right in her response to Malaysia seeking Interpol’s help to locate her.
“ The Malaysian authorities have overblown their reaction to my comedy sketch and is ridiculous,” Chia was quoted by BBC.
“ I wish I could have seen the face of the Interpol officer who received Malaysia’s request,” she added.
Like what No News Is Bad News posted previously, she is just a comedian doing her job to make her audience laugh. So, why is Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and politicians taking such a trivial matter so seriously?
Like what Chia said, she had performed the the same joke “more than a hundred times” with no issues in the past.
So why now?
Don’t the IGP and politicians have more pressing and urgent matters to attend to, like protecting Malaysians from racial and religious bigots from threatening and destroying national unity?
National unity and harmony must prevail for Malaysians and the Anwar Ibrahim-led Unity Government to work on healing the country’s economy which is reeling from a more than RM1.5 trillion debt.
For heaven’s sake, stop turning Malaysia into an international joke, move on to growing and healing the economy for a bright future.
Taking a comedian and her jokes to task is certainly no help to Malaysians and Malaysia. Chia said Singapore is a developed nation, why is Malaysia still a developing country? Isn’t that true?
Why is that so? Allowing racial and religious bigots to continue undermining socio-economic progress is one of the leading problems of Malaysia.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below our previous postings on the issue:
Interpol action will only make me famous, says Jocelyn Chia
The US comedian who sparked a controversy over a joke about MH370 responds to Malaysia seeking Interpol’s help to locate her.
FMT Reporters - 14 Jun 2023, 8:38pm
Jocelyn Chia branded the reaction by Malaysian authorities as ‘overblown’ and ‘ridiculous’ and wished she could have seen the face of the Interpol officer who received the request to locate her.
PETALING JAYA: A US comedian who sparked controversy over a joke about MH370 – the Malaysia Airlines flight that went missing in 2014 – has ridiculed the move to get Interpol to locate her.
Jocelyn Chia also branded the reaction by Malaysian authorities as “overblown” and “ridiculous”, BBC reported.
Chia said she wished she could have seen the face of the Interpol officer who received this request.
“Honestly, if Interpol does do something about this request and things escalate, can you imagine how famous it is going to make me?” she was quoted as saying.
Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said yesterday that an application would be filed with Interpol to obtain details of Chia’s identity and her latest location.
In a clip that went viral, Chia is heard using profanities to insult Malaysia. She had also made what netizens termed a “bad” joke about the missing MH370 aircraft.
Chia 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 she said remained a “developing country”.
The Malaysia Airlines aircraft went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. All 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard are presumed dead, but the fate of the aircraft remains a mystery.
Chia, a former Singaporean, has since said the clip of her stand-up set had omitted the necessary context, and that she had performed the same joke “more than a hundred times” with no issues in the past.
No News Is Bad News
The world’s best comedians/clowns are in Malaysia’s Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13, 2023: So much emotions have been evoked against Singaporean-born American stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia that many, especially Malaysians, have forgotten the many “award winning” comedians in Malaysia’s 222-seat Parliament.
Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah said in Parliament that the ministry would consider the need to change flight schedules to ensure flights did not clash with Muslim prayer times.
Malaysians expect their elected lawmakers to come up with ideas and proposals on how to grow their country’s economy and settle the more than RM1.5 trillion national debt.
Instead, Hasbi has joined the many MPs in the past and present to make Malaysia a laughing stock to the rest of the world with stupid, insane and irrelevant utterance that also affect the country’s quality of governance.
There had been many such “comedians” in Parliament in the past from both sides of the divide and Anwar Ibrahim’s 19 political parties in the Unity Government would do well to review and drop all such pea-brain lawmakers in the next general election.
Hasbi’s illogical and stupid utterance in Parliament had attracted about 500,000 views yesterday (June 12, 2023) in a BFM News post.
And Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police would seek Interpol’s help to obtain the full identity and current location of Chia who mocked Malaysia and made fun of the MH370 tragedy.
Doesn’t the IGP and police have more serious and pressing matters to handle, like the fanning of racial and religious sentiments to shatter Malaysia’s national unity, aimed at destabilising the Government and thus destroy socio-economic development?
Why waste precious time and energy on a comedian and her jokes in the US?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below some stark Facebook comments and response to Hasbi’s ridiculous utterance in Parliament and the IGP’s take on Chia:
What next ? Reschedule sakau time perhaps
By the same token, can we reject a Muslim pilot. We fear that in the middle of a flight, he may decide it's time for prayer....
Oops Sorry darling we have to stop for prayers......coitus interruptus
He shouldn't use modern transport , only use camel and donkey on mud and rock path
I thought this was the Malaysian Airplane movie…
Muslim way of thinking will pull down the country development pace.
Ling Ching Leh Saudi never imposed such 
I just pity them when there's no Chinese to blame. After Johor girl running down mat basikal acquited, no more ideas. Madey resorted to calling us extremists.
And you thought stand-up comedians were clowns!!
Next discussion, how to stop the world from spinning.... oops my bad... it is flat...
This is certainly a Boleh Land. No other countries can be so
Getting totally ridiculous.
Malaysia has wonderful dreams maa 
Anyway, the Parliament is empty.
Following Dr M footsteps, when u want yr face shown, do little,says a lot, achieve nothing.
This is so stupid!
Then all flights should be canceled if conflict?
Paused every activities accept.....
Anuar government more religious and fanatic than PAS.
To be consistent with this argument, I think heart surgeons etc have to also change schedules for operating the patient… trains have to reschedule time , shipping and cargo services have to reschedule,
Wars have to take a break during prayer time , po…
Stephen Chan Factories machines should all stop 5x a day! Muslim surgeon should stop surgical procedure too! Dialysis machines to stop during prayer time! SYABAS to stop all water flow 5x a day too! Lastly, all MPs to stop breathing 5x a day too!
OMG such stupidity.
Mike Fong No, he is not. I bet he hold "smart" phone in his hand or in his pocket!
Talibanstan is creeping ever closer
Omg. The whole world needs to stop just for your prayers?.. The Earth also have to stop spinning too?? 
. Deviated indeed
What his stupidity not limit ok
Because the brain cannot fathom what it should do, it then goes into a disfunctional mode of thinking up ludicrous notions and motions that stupefy the deliverer and the receivers.
Teng Boon SweeWhat happen Malaysia 
Teng Boon Swee only in Malaysia 
These are the stupid ways that malaysian pas and pn to outdo holiness against ph. Of course pas/pn has no idea on how to run a country economically / even do small business.. so make noise abt holiness again. Malaysia will sink if these clowns win stat…
From stupid to idiotic, moronic and inane
all to do with making the news and watch his face on the small screen. So shallow. lose face doing this.
· 
No limits to stupidities on both sides of the political divide 
When clueless wisdom lacking chaps are voted in, chaos will reign.
I think you guys should not fly. Take a camel instead.
A pea-brain deputy minister.
Kee Siang Ooi confirmed!
MALAYSIA
Cops to trace Jocelyn Chia with Interpol’s help: IGP
Police also seek MCMC’s aid to find comic’s social media profiles
Updated 4 hours ago · Published on 13 Jun 2023 3:31PM
Comedian Jocelyn Chia has come under fire from Malaysians after making a joke about the MH370 tragedy. – mumblecomedy.net pic, June 13, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysia Police will seek Interpol’s help to obtain the full identity and current location of comedian Jocelyn Chia who mocked Malaysia and made fun of the MH370 tragedy.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the application would be made tomorrow to enable further investigations to be carried out, Bernama reports.
“This case will be investigated under Section 504/505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Multimedia Communications Act 1998,” he said.
Acryl Sani was speaking at a press conference after an event at Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Children’s Specialist Hospital in Cheras in conjunction with celebrations for the national 216th Police Day.
Police had also made an application to the Communications and Multimedia Commission for “profiles” of Chia used on social media.
“In addition, (police) have also made a transcript of the suspect’s speech in the video clip,” he said, referring to the excerpt of her comedy performance that went viral.
The excerpt of Chia’s performance came to light recently on social media, where she mocked the missing flight MH370 by saying that Malaysia’s planes do not land, while also berating the country and telling a Malaysian member of the audience to “f**k off”.
After outcry from Malaysians, Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon condemned Chia’s “hurtful” jokes, and said she was confirmed to no longer be a Singaporean citizen.
Various quarters, including some local comedians and political figures, have condemned Chia, with Umno Youth calling for a protest against her outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has also described the comedian’s jokes as offensive and insensitive.
In remarks to CNN, Chia said she still stood by her joke, adding that there was context missing when that part of her performance was extracted and edited into a short clip for social media. – The Vibes, June 13, 2023
No News Is Bad News
Jocelyn Chia … a stand-up comedian under siege with critics barking up the wrong tree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH-EdbzwEGU (New series looks at 2014 disappearance of Malaysian flight MH370)
MH370 and MH17 - get real, not the jokes by comedians
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11, 2023: All the attacks over stand-up comedian Joycelyn Chia is really much ado over the wrong reasons.
Did she really insult the 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard MH370 who are still presumed dead? Is the mere mention of MH370 tantamount to insulting the dead?
Is it a taboo just to mention MH370 and its failures?
Really, no one sane will want to insult the dead, Chia included.
What is really insulting is the failure of aviation authorities, investigators, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and the Government to display transparency in the tragedy.
With all the state-of-the-art monitoring and communications equipment, do they expect the public to accept whatever little information they had released since 2014?
No News Is Bad News is not demanding or blaming the authorities for failing to find the wreckage. What is unacceptable is that they have, obviously, hidden much information on security and what transpired in communications between the pilots and aviation controllers. Just what are they hiding?
Was there any dangerous cargo aboard? What does the investigators and authorities know about suspicious passengers, if any? Many questions that can be answered need to be answered transparently.
Take control of emotions and not lose sight of the real issues - what transpired prior to the MAS aircraft going missing. The authorities have, to date, kept under wraps all security issues, why?
And it appears this has also been politicised for mileage and reasons best known to politicians, instead of uncovering the "sensitive" facts and adhering to transparency.
So, back to Chia. You may not condone the contents of her sketches but she is still just a comedian. And her profession or job is to crack jokes to make her audience laugh. And the contents are just joke, not to be taken seriously.
So, why should anyone take jokes seriously?
If all jokes are to be taken seriously, then there is nothing comedians can joke about because everyone will object or complain. You may not approve of her sketch but the audience paid to be entertained. No one is asking or forcing you to listen to her jokes.
If you feel offended, then just don’t listen to her jokes. There are more serious questions and matters to attend to, not jokes. Period.
MAS Flight MH370 disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia to its destination, China’s Beijing Capital International Airport.
The crew of the Boeing 777-200ER, registered as 9M-MRO, last communicated with air traffic control (ATC) around 38 minutes after takeoff when the flight was over the South China Sea. The aircraft was lost from ATC's secondary surveillance radar screens minutes later, but was tracked by the Malaysian military's primary radar system for another hour, deviating westward from its planned flight path, crossing the Malay Peninsula and Andaman Sea. It left radar range 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) northwest of Penang Island in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia.
The disappearance of Flight 370 is the deadliest incident involving a Boeing 777 and the deadliest in MAS history until it was surpassed in both regards by MAS’ Flight MH17, which was shot down while flying over eastern Ukraine four months later on July 17, 2014. The combined loss caused significant financial problems for MAS which was renationalised by the Malaysian Government in August 2014.
Now, on MH17, has MAS or anyone or authority taken responsibility for the tragedy? Has anyone in MAS or aviation authority explained why the MAS pilot was flying over a battle/war zone when all other commercial pilots had taken security and safety precautions by avoiding and risking such a hazardous flight path?
So, are we insulting the dead by asking pertinent and real questions, not waste time and energy on jokes?
Jokes aside, get real and bark at the right tree!
No News Is Bad News reproduces its previous posting on the issue:
No News Is Bad News
No such thing as comedian or comedy in Malaysia and Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8, 2023: What is the definition of comedian and comedy?
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedian: (Definition of comedian) A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolish (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comedian.
A popular saying often attributed to Ed Wynn attempts to differentiate the two terms:[1]
"A comic says funny things; a comedian says things funny."
This draws a distinction between how much of the comedy can be attributed to verbal content and how much to acting and persona.[citation needed]
Since the 1980s, a new wave of comedy, called alternative comedy, has grown in popularity with its more offbeat and experimental style. This normally involves more experiential, or observational reporting (e.g., Alexei Sayle, Daniel Tosh, Malcolm Hardee). As far as content is concerned, comedians such as Tommy Tiernan, Des Bishop, Kevin Hart, and Dawn French draw on their background to poke fun at themselves, while others such as Jon Stewart, Ben Elton and Sarah Silverman have very strong political and cultural undertones.[citation needed]
Many comics achieve a cult following while touring famous comedy hubs such as the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia. Often a comic's career advances significantly when they win a notable comedy award, such as the Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier comedy award). Comics sometimes foray into other areas of entertainment, such as film and television, where they become more widely known (e.g., Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans). A comic's stand-up success does not always correlate to a film's critical or box-office success.
The definition aside, to the layman, a comedian is a joker not to be taken seriously as his or her job/profession is to make his/her audience laugh. Period.
However, in Malaysia and Singapore, comedians are taken seriously, so much so that they have been taken to court and convicted.
And the kiasu (fear of losing) island state of Singapore is a level ahead of Malaysia - it strips you of your citizenship!
So, comedians in Malaysia and Singapore, take note. You may be the best in the job but it is likely that you will run foul with the governments or politicians who take your jokes seriously word for word per se.
So, for those who are serious in their profession in comedy, venture overseas (not in Malaysia and Singapore) and be prepared not to return to your country of birth.
There is no place for comedians who are good and effective in their job of making you laugh as it is no joke to be taken seriously.
No News Is Bad News reproduces two news reports of the fate of comedians who were taken seriously by governments and skewered politicians and three-related news reports:
MALAYSIA
Comedian who ridiculed MH370 no longer Singaporean: high commissioner
Jocelyn Chia’s ‘hurtful remarks’ do not reflect country’s views, he says
Updated 4 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 9:58AM
Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon (pic) has apologised to Malaysia for the actions of stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia, who mocked the MH370 tragedy, and for the harm caused to the trust and friendship between the two nations. – @SenatorRasAdiba Twitter pic, June 8, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia has been confirmed to be no longer Singaporean following her viral video of a contentious comedy skit that mocked the MH370 tragedy, irking Malaysian netizens.
Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon expressed his dismay at Chia’s performance, remarking it as unhelpful to the bilateral relationship between the nation and Malaysia.
“I am appalled by the gratuitously offensive comments made by stand-up performer Jocelyn Chia,” he said in a statement.
“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,” he added, apologising to Malaysians.
Vanu said both nations enjoy a multi-faceted relationship with unique historical and interpersonal ties.
As such, Chia’s “hurtful remarks” have undermined the close trust and friendship that both nations enjoy, he added.
Stand-up comedian fined RM8,000 after pleading guilty to alternative charge
Siti Nuramira Abdullah pleaded guilty to deliberately wounding the religious feelings of others during her stand-up comedy act.
BernamaApril 17, 2023 6:03PM
Siti Nuramira Abdullah at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, April 17. Photo: Bernama
Siti Nuramira Abdullah, who caused a controversy with her comedy act at a comedy club last year, was fined RM8,000 by the Sessions Court today.
Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini pronounced the sentence after Siti Nuramira, 27, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of deliberately wounding the religious feelings of others during her stand-up comedy act.
She allegedly committed the offence at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 6pm, on June 4, 2022, under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
The court also ordered the accused to be sentenced to four months' jail if she failed to pay the fine. The accused has paid the fine.
The defence was to carry out the cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness, Muhammad Asyraf Kamal Musthaffa, today, but deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob informed the court that the prosecution had offered the accused an alternative charge under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
"The prosecution is offering the alternative charge after the Attorney-General’s Chambers received the accused’s representation on March 16," Malik said, urging that the sentence imposed on the accused reflect the seriousness of the case, as her actions had gained public attention.
"Even though the sentence under Section 298 is lower, it does not mean the offence is not serious.
"Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country, and to protect its harmony, no one should deliberately hurt the feelings of the followers of any religion. The accused could have performed a stand-up routine without referring to any religion because religion should not be used as material for jokes," he said.
Lawyer R Sivaraj, representing Siti Nuramira, sought a lighter fine on the basis that his client had no previous criminal record.
"The accused’s guilty plea today saves the court time and costs. After my client was charged in court, she never performed any comedy act or anything related to the offence. She does not have a social media account, and has kept to herself and not courted other controversies.
"This case became a hot topic until it went viral last year. This has caused a drastic change in the accused’s lifestyle personally, mentally and socially.
"Her experiences of being arrested, remanded in lock-up and jailed for around 10 days are more than enough as a lesson to her," the lawyer said, adding that his client had repented and apologised for her actions.
MALAYSIA
Problem solved, no need for DAP to apologise to Umno: Zahid
Party president reminds grassroots not to be swayed by unity govt’s detractors
Updated 3 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 3:24PM
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has dismissed claims by Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who had earlier urged DAP to issue a public apology to Umno over condemnations
BY Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need to push DAP for further apologies as the matter has already been settled with the Pakatan Harapan component party, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
Speaking at a press conference during the party wing’s general assembly today, Zahid dismissed claims by Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who had earlier urged DAP to issue a public apology to Umno over condemnations voiced when the two parties were rivals.
“This matter (an apology to Umno from DAP) should not be raised anymore. There is no need to repeat an issue that has already been agreed upon.
“During discussions to form the unity government, this (DAP apologising) was one of the main conditions we had set, and they agreed 100%,” he said when asked by reporters to comment on Akmal’s assertions.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, added that Umno grassroots members should not be influenced by those who are uneasy with the unity government’s existence and stability, which the Barisan Nasional linchpin is part of.
“For the grassroots, we have certain techniques to explain (Umno’s role in the unity government). I believe that we have clearly informed members about the matter,” he said.
In his policy speech to thousands of Umno Youth delegates, Akmal had suggested that DAP should apologise to Umno for any insults the latter had thrown Umno’s way in the past.
He said that this will “soften the hearts” of Umno supporters, in light of the upcoming elections set to be held in six states.
Pointing to how DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had previously apologised to the people of Sarawak and the state government for any offensive statements that his party members had issued, Akmal said that Umno should be afforded similar considerations.
Jocelyn Chia skit: let authorities deal with it
Meanwhile, Zahid also said that he is leaving it up to the authorities to investigate stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia’s skit, which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy.
“We will leave it up to the relevant authorities, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commision and the Royal Malaysia Police, to initiate investigations and take the necessary actions,” he said briefly.
Video clips of Chia’s show have recently made the rounds on social media and incited the ire of Malaysians, who took offence to the vulgar language used by the performer.
Umno Youth also intends to take to the streets tomorrow to voice their dissatisfaction over Singapore-born Chia’s performance by submitting a protest letter to the US Embassy here. – The Vibes, June 8, 2023
Let bygones be bygones, Ronnie Liu tells Umno
The DAP leader says it is pointless to argue who was right or wrong in the past.
Elill Easwaran - 08 Jun 2023, 3:03pm
DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu said Umno and Pakatan Harapan leaders should see each other as competitors and not enemies.
PETALING JAYA: DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu has urged Umno to forget about the past and work together for the sake of the country.
“Let bygones be bygones. Now that we are both partners in the unity government, there must be unity among the party leaders and grassroots,” he told FMT.
Liu, the Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) can work hand in hand to stop racism and religious bigotry.
“That’s what the Malaysian people want for now,” he said.
He said party leaders should see each other as competitors instead of enemies.
“In the past, DAP and Umno were in different camps and had differences in ideologies, opinions and policies. That’s normal in a democratic environment.
“It is pointless now to argue who was right and who was wrong in the past,” he said.
He also said the upcoming state elections can serve as an opportunity for PH and BN to convince the people that both camps can work together for the people.
“We should put the people before party interests,” he said.
Earlier today, Umno Youth demanded an open apology from DAP for accusations levelled at the party when they were political rivals.
Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh said the apology was necessary if DAP wanted to win the backing of the Malays and Umno supporters in the upcoming state elections.
“If they can apologise to Gabungan Parti Sarawak, why not to us?” he said, referring to the ruling coalition in the East Malaysian state.
However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi played down the call for an apology and said there is no need to prolong the issue.
MALAYSIA
Umno Youth to gather at US Embassy over ‘insulting’ comedy skit
Muhamad Akmal Saleh also urges peers to make police report on matter
Updated 5 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 1:16PM
Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh has urged Malaysians to protest against Jocelyn Chia’s skit which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes file pic, June 8, 2023
BY Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has urged Malaysians to take to the streets to voice their displeasure over stand-up buffoon Jocelyn Chia’s skit which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy.
Speaking during the party wing’s general assembly today, its chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that the wing will not ignore the insults hurled by Singapore-born Chia during her performance at a club in New York.
Video clips of Chia’s show have recently made the rounds on social media and incited the ire of Malaysians who took offence to the vulgar language used by the performer, who also poked fun at the disappearance of flight MH370.
“I have already ordered my Umno Youth executive councillors to make a police report on the matter. We also plan to gather in front of the US Embassy here tomorrow at about 2.30pm to submit a letter expressing our disapproval (towards Chia’s actions).
“If you are brave enough, we will see you at the embassy tomorrow,” Akmal said to rounds of cheers and applause from thousands of delegates present at the World Trade Centre here today.
Explaining that the protest will be held at the US Embassy as Chia is no longer a Singaporean citizen, he also pushed for the Malaysian government to ban her from stepping foot on Malaysian soil ever again.
Earlier today, Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon had expressed his dismay at Chia’s antic, remarking that it is unhelpful to the bilateral relationship between the nation and Malaysia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir has also expressed his regret and condemnation of the incident, claiming that the act showed a total lack of sensitivity and empathy towards Malaysians and the families of MH370 victims. – The Vibes, June 8, 2023
TikTok takes down comedian’s video of MH370 joke
The video falls under hate speech, says a representative of TikTok.
FMT Reporters - 09 Jun 2023, 12:08am
Jocelyn Chia, a Singapore-born stand-up comedian, encountered controversy over her remarks about Malaysia and the missing MH370 aircraft. (Twitter pic)
PETALING JAYA: The short-video hosting service TikTok has taken down a stand-up comedian’s video of her joke on the missing MH370 aircraft, according to a representative of the social media platform.
Sinar Daily quoted the representative as saying Jocelyn Chia’s video had breached community guidelines and contained hate speech. In the clip, she was reported to have made insulting remarks about Malaysia’s economic development and the missing Malaysian aircraft.
The TikTok spokesman said TikTok “is a diverse and inclusive community that does not tolerate discrimination. We do not allow content that contains hate speech or that involves hateful behaviour, thus we have removed it from our platform”.
Checks on Chia’s TikTok account confirmed that the video was no longer on her profile, with the last video posted on April 26.
In a clip that has gone viral since yesterday, Chia is heard using profanities to insult Malaysia.
She also 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”.
Upon realising that a group of Malaysians was in the audience, she went on to berate them using profanities and with a serious look on her face, before bursting into laughter.
“Now you come saying hey Singapore, you are looking good lah. When we asked why you haven’t visited me in 40 years, you said your airplanes cannot fly. Malaysian airlines going missing is not funny huh? Some jokes don’t land,” she quipped.
The Malaysia Airlines aircraft went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. All 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard are presumed dead, but the fate of the aircraft remains a mystery.
Singapore’s foreign affairs minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan later apologised for Chia’s remarks, saying he was appalled by the “horrendous statements”.
The Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, said Chia was no longer Singaporean. “The Singapore government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others, and Chia does not reflect our views in any way,” he said. - FMT
No News Is Bad News
No such thing as comedian or comedy in Malaysia and Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8, 2023: What is the definition of comedian and comedy?
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedian: (Definition of comedian) A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolish (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comedian.
A popular saying often attributed to Ed Wynn attempts to differentiate the two terms:[1]
"A comic says funny things; a comedian says things funny."
This draws a distinction between how much of the comedy can be attributed to verbal content and how much to acting and persona.[citation needed]
Since the 1980s, a new wave of comedy, called alternative comedy, has grown in popularity with its more offbeat and experimental style. This normally involves more experiential, or observational reporting (e.g., Alexei Sayle, Daniel Tosh, Malcolm Hardee). As far as content is concerned, comedians such as Tommy Tiernan, Des Bishop, Kevin Hart, and Dawn French draw on their background to poke fun at themselves, while others such as Jon Stewart, Ben Elton and Sarah Silverman have very strong political and cultural undertones.[citation needed]
Many comics achieve a cult following while touring famous comedy hubs such as the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia. Often a comic's career advances significantly when they win a notable comedy award, such as the Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier comedy award). Comics sometimes foray into other areas of entertainment, such as film and television, where they become more widely known (e.g., Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans). A comic's stand-up success does not always correlate to a film's critical or box-office success.
The definition aside, to the layman, a comedian is a joker not to be taken seriously as his or her job/profession is to make his/her audience laugh. Period.
However, in Malaysia and Singapore, comedians are taken seriously, so much so that they have been taken to court and convicted.
And the kiasu (fear of losing) island state of Singapore is a level ahead of Malaysia - it strips you of your citizenship!
So, comedians in Malaysia and Singapore, take note. You may be the best in the job but it is likely that you will run foul with the governments or politicians who take your jokes seriously word for word per se.
So, for those who are serious in their profession in comedy, venture overseas (not in Malaysia and Singapore) and be prepared not to return to your country of birth.
There is no place for comedians who are good and effective in their job of making you laugh as it is no joke to be taken seriously.
No News Is Bad News reproduces two news reports of the fate of comedians who were taken seriously by governments and skewered politicians and three-related news reports:
MALAYSIA
Comedian who ridiculed MH370 no longer Singaporean: high commissioner
Jocelyn Chia’s ‘hurtful remarks’ do not reflect country’s views, he says
Updated 4 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 9:58AM
Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon (pic) has apologised to Malaysia for the actions of stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia, who mocked the MH370 tragedy, and for the harm caused to the trust and friendship between the two nations. – @SenatorRasAdiba Twitter pic, June 8, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia has been confirmed to be no longer Singaporean following her viral video of a contentious comedy skit that mocked the MH370 tragedy, irking Malaysian netizens.
Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon expressed his dismay at Chia’s performance, remarking it as unhelpful to the bilateral relationship between the nation and Malaysia.
“I am appalled by the gratuitously offensive comments made by stand-up performer Jocelyn Chia,” he said in a statement.
“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,” he added, apologising to Malaysians.
Vanu said both nations enjoy a multi-faceted relationship with unique historical and interpersonal ties.
As such, Chia’s “hurtful remarks” have undermined the close trust and friendship that both nations enjoy, he added.
Stand-up comedian fined RM8,000 after pleading guilty to alternative charge
Siti Nuramira Abdullah pleaded guilty to deliberately wounding the religious feelings of others during her stand-up comedy act.
BernamaApril 17, 2023 6:03PM
Siti Nuramira Abdullah at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, April 17. Photo: Bernama
Siti Nuramira Abdullah, who caused a controversy with her comedy act at a comedy club last year, was fined RM8,000 by the Sessions Court today.
Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini pronounced the sentence after Siti Nuramira, 27, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of deliberately wounding the religious feelings of others during her stand-up comedy act.
She allegedly committed the offence at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 6pm, on June 4, 2022, under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
The court also ordered the accused to be sentenced to four months' jail if she failed to pay the fine. The accused has paid the fine.
The defence was to carry out the cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness, Muhammad Asyraf Kamal Musthaffa, today, but deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob informed the court that the prosecution had offered the accused an alternative charge under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
"The prosecution is offering the alternative charge after the Attorney-General’s Chambers received the accused’s representation on March 16," Malik said, urging that the sentence imposed on the accused reflect the seriousness of the case, as her actions had gained public attention.
"Even though the sentence under Section 298 is lower, it does not mean the offence is not serious.
"Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country, and to protect its harmony, no one should deliberately hurt the feelings of the followers of any religion. The accused could have performed a stand-up routine without referring to any religion because religion should not be used as material for jokes," he said.
Lawyer R Sivaraj, representing Siti Nuramira, sought a lighter fine on the basis that his client had no previous criminal record.
"The accused’s guilty plea today saves the court time and costs. After my client was charged in court, she never performed any comedy act or anything related to the offence. She does not have a social media account, and has kept to herself and not courted other controversies.
"This case became a hot topic until it went viral last year. This has caused a drastic change in the accused’s lifestyle personally, mentally and socially.
"Her experiences of being arrested, remanded in lock-up and jailed for around 10 days are more than enough as a lesson to her," the lawyer said, adding that his client had repented and apologised for her actions.
MALAYSIA
Problem solved, no need for DAP to apologise to Umno: Zahid
Party president reminds grassroots not to be swayed by unity govt’s detractors
Updated 3 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 3:24PM
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has dismissed claims by Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who had earlier urged DAP to issue a public apology to Umno over condemnations
BY Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need to push DAP for further apologies as the matter has already been settled with the Pakatan Harapan component party, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
Speaking at a press conference during the party wing’s general assembly today, Zahid dismissed claims by Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who had earlier urged DAP to issue a public apology to Umno over condemnations voiced when the two parties were rivals.
“This matter (an apology to Umno from DAP) should not be raised anymore. There is no need to repeat an issue that has already been agreed upon.
“During discussions to form the unity government, this (DAP apologising) was one of the main conditions we had set, and they agreed 100%,” he said when asked by reporters to comment on Akmal’s assertions.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, added that Umno grassroots members should not be influenced by those who are uneasy with the unity government’s existence and stability, which the Barisan Nasional linchpin is part of.
“For the grassroots, we have certain techniques to explain (Umno’s role in the unity government). I believe that we have clearly informed members about the matter,” he said.
In his policy speech to thousands of Umno Youth delegates, Akmal had suggested that DAP should apologise to Umno for any insults the latter had thrown Umno’s way in the past.
He said that this will “soften the hearts” of Umno supporters, in light of the upcoming elections set to be held in six states.
Pointing to how DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had previously apologised to the people of Sarawak and the state government for any offensive statements that his party members had issued, Akmal said that Umno should be afforded similar considerations.
Jocelyn Chia skit: let authorities deal with it
Meanwhile, Zahid also said that he is leaving it up to the authorities to investigate stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia’s skit, which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy.
“We will leave it up to the relevant authorities, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commision and the Royal Malaysia Police, to initiate investigations and take the necessary actions,” he said briefly.
Video clips of Chia’s show have recently made the rounds on social media and incited the ire of Malaysians, who took offence to the vulgar language used by the performer.
Umno Youth also intends to take to the streets tomorrow to voice their dissatisfaction over Singapore-born Chia’s performance by submitting a protest letter to the US Embassy here. – The Vibes, June 8, 2023
Let bygones be bygones, Ronnie Liu tells Umno
The DAP leader says it is pointless to argue who was right or wrong in the past.
Elill Easwaran - 08 Jun 2023, 3:03pm
DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu said Umno and Pakatan Harapan leaders should see each other as competitors and not enemies.
PETALING JAYA: DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu has urged Umno to forget about the past and work together for the sake of the country.
“Let bygones be bygones. Now that we are both partners in the unity government, there must be unity among the party leaders and grassroots,” he told FMT.
Liu, the Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) can work hand in hand to stop racism and religious bigotry.
“That’s what the Malaysian people want for now,” he said.
He said party leaders should see each other as competitors instead of enemies.
“In the past, DAP and Umno were in different camps and had differences in ideologies, opinions and policies. That’s normal in a democratic environment.
“It is pointless now to argue who was right and who was wrong in the past,” he said.
He also said the upcoming state elections can serve as an opportunity for PH and BN to convince the people that both camps can work together for the people.
“We should put the people before party interests,” he said.
Earlier today, Umno Youth demanded an open apology from DAP for accusations levelled at the party when they were political rivals.
Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh said the apology was necessary if DAP wanted to win the backing of the Malays and Umno supporters in the upcoming state elections.
“If they can apologise to Gabungan Parti Sarawak, why not to us?” he said, referring to the ruling coalition in the East Malaysian state.
However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi played down the call for an apology and said there is no need to prolong the issue.
MALAYSIA
Umno Youth to gather at US Embassy over ‘insulting’ comedy skit
Muhamad Akmal Saleh also urges peers to make police report on matter
Updated 5 hours ago · Published on 08 Jun 2023 1:16PM
Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh has urged Malaysians to protest against Jocelyn Chia’s skit which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes file pic, June 8, 2023
BY Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has urged Malaysians to take to the streets to voice their displeasure over stand-up buffoon Jocelyn Chia’s skit which mocked Malaysians and the MH370 tragedy.
Speaking during the party wing’s general assembly today, its chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that the wing will not ignore the insults hurled by Singapore-born Chia during her performance at a club in New York.
Video clips of Chia’s show have recently made the rounds on social media and incited the ire of Malaysians who took offence to the vulgar language used by the performer, who also poked fun at the disappearance of flight MH370.
“I have already ordered my Umno Youth executive councillors to make a police report on the matter. We also plan to gather in front of the US Embassy here tomorrow at about 2.30pm to submit a letter expressing our disapproval (towards Chia’s actions).
“If you are brave enough, we will see you at the embassy tomorrow,” Akmal said to rounds of cheers and applause from thousands of delegates present at the World Trade Centre here today.
Explaining that the protest will be held at the US Embassy as Chia is no longer a Singaporean citizen, he also pushed for the Malaysian government to ban her from stepping foot on Malaysian soil ever again.
Earlier today, Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon had expressed his dismay at Chia’s antic, remarking that it is unhelpful to the bilateral relationship between the nation and Malaysia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir has also expressed his regret and condemnation of the incident, claiming that the act showed a total lack of sensitivity and empathy towards Malaysians and the families of MH370 victims. – The Vibes, June 8, 2023
TikTok takes down comedian’s video of MH370 joke
The video falls under hate speech, says a representative of TikTok.
FMT Reporters - 09 Jun 2023, 12:08am
Jocelyn Chia, a Singapore-born stand-up comedian, encountered controversy over her remarks about Malaysia and the missing MH370 aircraft. (Twitter pic)
PETALING JAYA: The short-video hosting service TikTok has taken down a stand-up comedian’s video of her joke on the missing MH370 aircraft, according to a representative of the social media platform.
Sinar Daily quoted the representative as saying Jocelyn Chia’s video had breached community guidelines and contained hate speech. In the clip, she was reported to have made insulting remarks about Malaysia’s economic development and the missing Malaysian aircraft.
The TikTok spokesman said TikTok “is a diverse and inclusive community that does not tolerate discrimination. We do not allow content that contains hate speech or that involves hateful behaviour, thus we have removed it from our platform”.
Checks on Chia’s TikTok account confirmed that the video was no longer on her profile, with the last video posted on April 26.
In a clip that has gone viral since yesterday, Chia is heard using profanities to insult Malaysia.
She also 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”.
Upon realising that a group of Malaysians was in the audience, she went on to berate them using profanities and with a serious look on her face, before bursting into laughter.
“Now you come saying hey Singapore, you are looking good lah. When we asked why you haven’t visited me in 40 years, you said your airplanes cannot fly. Malaysian airlines going missing is not funny huh? Some jokes don’t land,” she quipped.
The Malaysia Airlines aircraft went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. All 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard are presumed dead, but the fate of the aircraft remains a mystery.
Singapore’s foreign affairs minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan later apologised for Chia’s remarks, saying he was appalled by the “horrendous statements”.
The Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, said Chia was no longer Singaporean. “The Singapore government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others, and Chia does not reflect our views in any way,” he said. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment