Malaysia Seeks Interpol’s Assistance in Locating Comedian Following MH370 Joke

Malaysia has asked Interpol to help locate and investigate US-based stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia, who made a joke about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 during a set at a popular Manhattan club in April. The joke sparked outrage and protests in Malaysia and Singapore, where Chia holds dual citizenship. Malaysia’s national police chief, Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, said the country would investigate Chia’s comments under its own laws related to provocation, incitement, and publication of offensive online content. The police will ask Interpol for Chia’s location and full identity to facilitate further investigations The fate and location of the missing aircraft remain a mystery, and debris linked to the plane has been found over the years.

Jocelyn Chia’s joke about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has sparked outrage and protests in Malaysia and Singapore. The foreign ministers of both countries condemned Chia’s joke, and Malaysian officials have called for her to be located and investigated under their own laws related to provocation, incitement, and publication of offensive online content. Kudsia Kahar, a former Malaysian radio announcer who shared the video on Twitter, said Chia had crossed the line, and her act “showed a total lack of sensitivity and empathy” toward Malaysians and the MH370 victims’ families. Chia has called Malaysia’s reaction to her joke “ridiculous” and “overblown”.