Malaysian police have reportedly asked Interpol to help track down US comedian, Jocelyn Chia for making a joke about a missing MH370 flight.
Chia had made a joke about the missing flight at a New York comedy club in April and the video had since gone viral. The video had received backlash, prompting both Malaysia and Singapore authorities to ask for the help of Interpol to track her down.
The Malaysian police launched an investigation into the case under incitement and offensive online content laws. The Joke was posted on TitTok and later removed by the app for violating its guidelines on hate speech.
Speaking to BBC News, Chia said her joke was “not making fun of tragedy” and has been “taken out of context when consumed on social media.” Chia made the joke, referencing Malaysia and Singapore relationship, joking that Malaysia “dumped” the small island state in 1965 when the two nations split, but Singapore got the best break-up revenge.
MH370 flight, which is still missing, had disappeared from air traffic radar on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with all 239 people on board presumed dead. “Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny, huh”, said Chia. “Some jokes don’t land”, she added.
“I have performed this routine hundreds of times and even did a shorter version of it in Singapore”, Chia told BBC. She added “it always cracks the audience up. I wouldn’t have used it again if it didn’t work.”
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