Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, criticised humorist Jocelyn Chia on Twitter for her insensitive and offensive remarks about Malaysia throughout a recent efficiency. Chia, a Singapore-born performer, made jokes about Malaysia’s development and the lacking Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, sparking outrage in Malaysia.
“I am appalled by her horrendous statements. She definitely doesn’t converse for Singaporeans. We treasure our ties with household and associates in Malaysia and are sorry for the offence and hurt brought on to all Malaysians,” Balakrishnan tweeted in response to a post from Malaysian MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.
Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, also condemned Chia’s feedback and apologised to Malaysians in a separate assertion. He added that Chia is not a Singaporean and her remarks don’t mirror the views of the Singaporean government, reported Malay Mail.
“I am appalled by the gratuitously offensive feedback made by stand-up performer Jocelyn Chia. The Singapore Government does not condone phrases or actions that trigger harm or hurt to others and Chia, who’s not Singaporean, doesn’t in any means reflect our views. I sincerely apologise to all Malaysians for her hurtful remarks,” Menon mentioned in a statement on the Singapore High Commission’s Facebook web page.
Menon emphasised the shut relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, stating that Chia’s feedback undermine the belief and friendship shared by both countries.
Jocelyn Chia, now a naturalised US citizen, posted a video clip of her efficiency on Instagram, the place she joked about Malaysia being a creating country and made a tasteless comment about Malaysia Airlines.
Many Malaysians, including well-known comic Harith Iskandar and radio personality Kudsia Kahar, took to social media to denounce Chia’s efficiency.
“I respect the freedom of expression that we comedians require to do our job. But it is equally necessary to train some degree of sensitivity and empathy when doing certain material, particularly subjects which might be deeply personal or tragic,” Harith said in a video response posted on Twitter.
Unauthorized echoed the sentiment, stating that even jokes have limits and performers should be sensitive to lines that should not be crossed. “Not acceptable. A good standup never turns tragedy and deaths into a joke,” she tweeted.
Syed Saddiq, president of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, called Chia’s use of tragic occasions for entertainment in bad style but urged Malaysians not to let her efficiency tarnish their views of Singapore. “I have good faith in my fellow Singaporean pals, and I’m positive all of us deeply cherish our close relations as countries. Whatever it’s, let’s not enable one bad seed to tarnish our complete outlook on our neighbour. Take it as a lesson to never take lightly of other people’s misfortunes,” he tweeted.
Some Twitter customers accused Chia of instigating a cross-border conflict between Malaysia and Singapore, while others claimed her facial expressions during the efficiency confirmed she was not joking but venting her anger against Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, expressed regret and condemned Chia’s actions for disparaging Malaysia and making enjoyable of the MH370 tragedy. “The act by the woman showed a complete lack of sensitivity and empathy in the direction of Malaysians and the victims’ households,” he stated in a statement..