According to a recent report by Bernama on June 13, Malaysian authorities are planning to seek assistance from Interpol to obtain comprehensive information about Jocelyn Chia’s full identity and current whereabouts.
Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, as quoted by Bernama, mentioned that an official application would be submitted to Interpol with the intention of acquiring the complete details of Chia, including her identity and present location.
The specific reasons behind the Malaysian police’s decision to take this course of action, as well as their objectives in obtaining this information, have not been disclosed in the local media reports.
As per the New York Times, Chia recently performed in New York City during the week of June 5 and has upcoming comedy gigs scheduled.
Made fun of tragedy
Chia, aged 43 and originally from Boston, USA, held dual citizenship of the United States and Singapore until she reached adulthood, as reported by the New York Times. Transitioning from her previous career as a lawyer, she ventured into stand-up comedy. However, Chia became involved in an international controversy after a clip from one of her shows was shared by Comedy Cellar USA.
During her performance, Chia made a reference to the unresolved MH370 flight incident and used offensive language towards an audience member who claimed to be Malaysian. Clips of this particular show were also uploaded to Chia’s social media platforms.
This incident sparked significant backlash within Malaysia, with Malaysians expressing their strong disapproval of Chia’s actions, as well as criticizing both Singapore and the United States through online channels.
In response to the controversy, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, issued an official statement apologizing to all Malaysians on behalf of Chia’s remarks. Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, also extended his apologies to the Malaysian public, emphasizing that Chia’s views did not represent the sentiments of Singaporeans and highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
The incident prompted members of the Umno youth group to organize a protest outside the United States Embassy in Malaysia.
Despite the widespread backlash, Chia appeared largely unaffected by the criticism. In an interview with CNN, she defended the clip, asserting that it was part of a longer routine, and she stood by the joke in its entirety without offering an apology. However, she acknowledged that viewing the clip outside the context of the comedy club could be perceived as “risky” upon reflection.