Singapore sorry over ‘horrendous’ joke about missing Malaysian aircraft

ISTANBUL

Singapore on Thursday issued an apology over what it called “horrendous statements” by a comedian about Malaysia and its missing aircraft, which triggered angry reactions from the neighboring country.

“I am appalled by her horrendous statements. She certainly does not speak for Singaporeans,” said Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan about comedian Jocelyn Chia. “We treasure our ties with family and friends in Malaysia, and are sorry for the offence and hurt caused to all Malaysians.”

A viral video clip of Chia, a Singapore-born stand-up comedian, showed she joked about Malaysia and its missing MH370 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Vanu Gopala Menon, Singapore’s high commissioner to Malaysia, also issued a statement, distancing Singapore from cross-border jokes made by Chia.

He said the government does not condone the comedian’s words or actions that harm others.

“… Chia, who is no longer Singaporean, does not in any way reflect our views. I sincerely apologize to all Malaysians for her hurtful remarks,” he said in the statement shared via Facebook.

Also, Kudsia Kahar, former president of Commercial Radio Malaysia, said on Twitter: “I am a huge supporter of standup comedians … But I draw the line at turning MH370 into a joke. Not acceptable.”

She added: “A good standup never turns tragedy and deaths into a joke.”

Earlier, Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir had said: “I hope that any form of action or attempt like this can be stopped to ensure respect for any country continues to be preserved.”

Commenting on Chia’s act, Syed Saddiq, a Malaysian lawmaker, said: “Turning a tragedy into a source of entertainment is just in bad taste.

“Whatever it is, let’s not allow one bad seed to tarnish our whole outlook to our neighbour,” Saddiq suggested.

Muhamad Akmal Saleh, a leader of Umno, the oldest nationalist party in Malaysia, said they are filing a report with the police over the issue.

In March 2014, Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared from radar shortly after it took off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers and crew on board.

The jetliner has yet to be found despite massive search operations in the southern Indian Ocean where the aircraft was believed to have ended its flight after diverting from its original route.