A Singaporean-American standup comedian has been drawing backlash in Malaysia and Singapore after people took offence to one of her comedy skits where she could be heard joking about the disappearance of 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Malaysia has now decided to prosecute her, with Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani saying that the police would request Interpol’s assistance for their investigation on Wednesday.

Jocelyn Chia, a Boston-born woman, had performed a comedy sketch at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar back in April.

<h2>The joke</h2>

During her performance, Chia said that Malaysia had “dumped” Singapore, referring to the separation of the island state from Malaysia in 1965, but said Singapore had the best “break up revenge” as it had become a “first world country” while Malaysia was “still a developing country”.

She then equated the separation of the two countries to a romantic breakup and imagined Malaysia trying to woo Singapore back, saying that it hadn’t visited because “my airplanes cannot fly,” she said in the video clip, adding: “What? Malaysia Airlines going missing not funny?”

She then quipped, “Some jokes don’t land.”

<h2>Strong backlash</h2>

Though the joke drew chuckles at that time, but when the clip was shared on social media nearly two months later, it was widely criticised.

According to New York Post, Comedy Cellar's website was hacked and nearly 4,000 one-star reviews were posted on Google. Another venue, the West Side Comedy Club, said they were threatened with bad reviews after offended parties from the other side of the world found Chia had performed there.

“You can get away [onstage] with saying stuff that’s kind of outrageous,” Comedy Cellar owner&nbsp;Noam Dworman told the New York Times.

“You can’t put that same moment into a small screen that you’re watching over morning coffee.”

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The joke was removed from TikTok and labelled “hateful behaviour,” in violation of community guidelines.

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<h2>Reactions</h2>

On Friday, the United Malays National Organisation, one of Malaysia’s biggest political parties, lodged a protest at the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Singapore has distanced itself from Chia, who held dual citizenship until adulthood.

“The Singapore government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others and Chia,” said Vanu Gopala Menon, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, in a statement.

“[Chia] does not in any way reflect our views.&nbsp;I sincerely apologise to all Malaysians for her hurtful remarks.”

<h2>‘Won’t back down'</h2>

Chia has remained steadfast and said that she completely backs herself, adding there is no malice behind the bit.

“I do stand by my joke but with some caveats — I stand by it in its entirety, when viewed in a comedy club. Upon reflection, I do see that having this as a clip that gets viewed out of a comedy club context was risky,”&nbsp;Chia told CNN.

Chia said she remains unbothered.

“I didn’t want the haters to think they had won and got me to back down. Audiences at the Comedy Cellar see the best comedians and they love it, so how can I be embarrassed by it?” she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Singaporean-American standup comedian has been drawing backlash in Malaysia and Singapore after people took offence to one of her comedy skits where she could be heard joking about the disappearance of 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

A Singaporean-American standup comedian has been drawing backlash in Malaysia and Singapore after people took offence to one of her comedy skits where she could be heard joking about the disappearance of 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Malaysia has now decided to prosecute her, with Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani saying that the police would request Interpol’s assistance for their investigation on Wednesday. Jocelyn Chia, a Boston-born woman, had performed a comedy sketch at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar back in April. The joke During her performance, Chia said that Malaysia had “dumped” Singapore, referring to the separation of the island state from Malaysia in 1965, but said Singapore had the best “break up revenge” as it had become a “first world country” while Malaysia was “still a developing country”. She then equated the separation of the two countries to a romantic breakup and imagined Malaysia trying to woo Singapore back, saying that it hadn’t visited because “my airplanes cannot fly,” she said in the video clip, adding: “What? Malaysia Airlines going missing not funny?” She then quipped, “Some jokes don’t land.” Strong backlash Though the joke drew chuckles at that time, but when the clip was shared on social media nearly two months later, it was widely criticised. According to New York Post, Comedy Cellar's website was hacked and nearly 4,000 one-star reviews were posted on Google. Another venue, the West Side Comedy Club, said they were threatened with bad reviews after offended parties from the other side of the world found Chia had performed there. “You can get away [onstage] with saying stuff that’s kind of outrageous,” Comedy Cellar owner Noam Dworman told the New York Times. “You can’t put that same moment into a small screen that you’re watching over morning coffee.” Also read | 'Don’t meddle in Taiwan issue': China's Qin tells Blinken The joke was removed from TikTok and labelled “hateful behaviour,” in violation of community guidelines. Also read | Gambia syrup deaths: Indian govt probes bribery claim in syrup tests Reactions On Friday, the United Malays National Organisation, one of Malaysia’s biggest political parties, lodged a protest at the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, Singapore has distanced itself from Chia, who held dual citizenship until adulthood. “The Singapore government does not condone words or actions that cause harm or hurt to others and Chia,” said Vanu Gopala Menon, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, in a statement. “[Chia] does not in any way reflect our views. I sincerely apologise to all Malaysians for her hurtful remarks.” ‘Won’t back down' Chia has remained steadfast and said that she completely backs herself, adding there is no malice behind the bit. “I do stand by my joke but with some caveats — I stand by it in its entirety, when viewed in a comedy club. Upon reflection, I do see that having this as a clip that gets viewed out of a comedy club context was risky,” Chia told CNN. Chia said she remains unbothered. “I didn’t want the haters to think they had won and got me to back down. Audiences at the Comedy Cellar see the best comedians and they love it, so how can I be embarrassed by it?” she said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US comedian’s joke creates furore in Singapore and Malaysia; Interpol's help sought

Some family members of the MH 370 victims met officials of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) today in Canberra to talk about the search operations for the missing aircraft. 
 
The families demanded a &ldquo;concerted effort&rdquo; from nations involved in the search. 
 
&ldquo;Seeing the debris was emotionally very difficult, I think I felt all of the energy drain out of my body. I felt as though I was the wing flap that made the journey from the south Indian Ocean to the shores of Tanzania. It was quite heartbreaking to see the state that the wing flap was in, all the scratches all the bruising, the discolouration. I mean, you can&#39;t even imagine what the rest of the plane might look like,&quot; Grace Nathan, who&#39;s mother Anne Daisy was on board the plane, told Reuters. 
 
On Sunday, September 11, adventurer Blaine Gibson arrived in Perth with a piece of debris possibly from MH370 found on the east coast of Madagascar. 
 
Australia has been leading the underwater search for the missing Boeing 777 which disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board. 
 
The search for the missing aircraft is expected to end this December. 
 
(WION with inputs from&nbsp;agencies)

The Malaysia Airlines flight 370, with 239 people on board, went missing on March 8, 2014 on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing

Some family members of the MH 370 victims met officials of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) today in Canberra to talk about the search operations for the missing aircraft. The families demanded a “concerted effort” from nations involved in the search. “Seeing the debris was emotionally very difficult, I think I felt all of the energy drain out of my body. I felt as though I was the wing flap that made the journey from the south Indian Ocean to the shores of Tanzania. It was quite heartbreaking to see the state that the wing flap was in, all the scratches all the bruising, the discolouration. I mean, you can't even imagine what the rest of the plane might look like," Grace Nathan, who's mother Anne Daisy was on board the plane, told Reuters. On Sunday, September 11, adventurer Blaine Gibson arrived in Perth with a piece of debris possibly from MH370 found on the east coast of Madagascar. Australia has been leading the underwater search for the missing Boeing 777 which disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board. The search for the missing aircraft is expected to end this December. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Families of MH 370 victims demand 'concerted efforts' in search operations

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US comedian’s joke creates furore in Singapore and Malaysia; Interpol's help sought

Families of MH 370 victims demand 'concerted efforts' in search operations