13-6-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian police are preparing to submit a formal application to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to locate Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia, who is said to be based in New York, following her insensitive remarks about Malaysia during a recent comedy skit.
Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, stated that the application to obtain Chia’s identity and current whereabouts will be made as soon as possible to facilitate the commencement of investigations, as reported by news agency Bernama.
“The case is being investigated under Section 504505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he informed reporters during a visit to a hospital in Cheras, in conjunction with the 216th Police Day.
Section 504 of the Penal Code addresses intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace, which is punishable under Section 505 with a maximum prison sentence of two years, a fine, or both. Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act deals with the improper use of network facilities.
Acryl Sani also mentioned that the police have requested assistance from the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to profile the social media accounts associated with Chia.
“We have also transcribed the suspect’s speech from the video clip,” he added.
It remains unclear whether the police are seeking to extradite Chia to Malaysia for investigations or if charges will be pressed against her. Malaysia and the United States signed an extradition treaty in 1995.
Chia gained significant attention on social media following her derogatory remarks about Malaysia in a stand-up comedy skit on The Comedy Cellar, a US-based show that was recently aired on the internet. Her comments, particularly about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with all 239 people on board presumed dead, sparked widespread backlash in Malaysia.
Her skit also drew protests from Umno Youth, where the party’s wing submitted a memorandum to the United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. McFeeters, urging for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate measures to address the situation.
Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, denounced Chia and issued an apology to all Malaysians in a separate statement, noting that the stand-up performer, who was born in Singapore, is no longer a citizen of the country. According to Singapore newspaper The Straits Times, Chia has reportedly become a naturalized US citizen.
