7-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) In the digital age, numerous comedians have risen to fame by sharing their skits through short online videos. However, one Singaporean comedian, Jocelyn Chia, may have crossed a line when she incorporated Malaysia’s economic development and the tragic MH370 incident into her standup routine, blurring the boundary between harmless humor and distasteful jokes.
Chia recently took the stage at Comedy Cellar, a renowned comedy club in Manhattan, New York, to perform her standup routine. The club shared a one-minute clip of her performance on their TikTok account, where she made several comments about Malaysia that sparked controversy.
The comedian began her set by providing a brief history of Singapore to the audience, highlighting its struggle as a small nation after gaining independence from British rule. She mentioned Singapore’s union with Malaysia, stating that it was a means for survival.
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A member of the audience reacted with enthusiasm upon hearing the mention of Malaysia. Chia then engaged with the individual, asking whether they hailed from Malaysia or Singapore. When the audience member revealed their Malaysian origin, Chia responded with expletives, saying, “F–k you, a–holes.”
She proceeded to mock Malaysia, highlighting Singapore’s progress over the years compared to its neighboring country. Chia taunted Malaysia, referring to it as a developing nation while boasting about Singapore’s achievement as a first world country.
Chia’s controversial remarks did not stop there. She delved into the sensitive topic of the missing flight, MH370. Making harsh jokes, she claimed that Malaysians had not visited Singapore in 40 years and impersonated Malaysia by suggesting that their airplanes could not fly.
While delivering the jokes, Chia attempted to address the seriousness of the MH370 tragedy, acknowledging that some jokes may not be well-received. She justified her humor by stating that the joke resonates with the audience in Singapore.
The Malaysian audience member interrupted, expressing their discontent and threatening to leave a negative Yelp review. Unfazed, Chia casually responded, “That’s okay, they don’t have Internet.”
Chia’s standup routine has garnered significant attention and sparked controversy both online and offline, with debates emerging about the appropriateness of her comments and the boundaries of comedy.
It remains to be seen how Chia and the comedy community will respond to the backlash, as the incident highlights the fine line that comedians navigate when exploring sensitive subjects and cultural differences through their performances.
