Malaysia has cracked the code for making world news, says comedian Jocelyn Chia

MALAYSIA — New York-based stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia extends a welcome to Matt Healy, the lead singer of banned British band The 1975, to be a part of the “canceled” cool kids in Malaysia, just like Chia.

“Welcome Matty Healy to the gang of cool kids “canceled” by Malaysia lol,” she said in her Tweet on Saturday (23 July).

She insinuated Malaysia’s hypocrisy in a “double standard” treatment between her and Healy.

“But wait a minute. Where are the calls for his arrest and Interpol to track him down for actually breaking Malaysian law while IN Malaysia? Has Malaysia gone soft?

“Or could it be.. Gasp.. No…what was it some peeps said about why I was so targeted and I didn’t really believe… Because he’s a white guy?!?!

“Nah can’t be. Malaysia can’t possibly have such double standards now can it?” she said.

‘Formula for artists to get more fame’

Chia also ridiculed Malaysia for “offering a formula for artists to get more fame” in an Instagram post.

“Malaysia figured out the formula for making world news. Massively overreact to foreign acts + minister level criticism = (BBC + CNN +ABC + CBS) to the power of IG (Instagram), Twitter, Threads, Facebook).

“I was catapulted to the front page of CNN and the BBC when the Malaysian police requested Interpol for assistance in locating me (also on CBS, FOX etc, Television Interviews by ABC, TMZ) And now Malaysia has made news again for canceling an ENTIRE music festival because of one singer

“Ironically, they are also offering a formula for artists to get more fame (I’ve not heard of this singer or the band until now, and neither had my new found fans heard of me until Malaysia kicked up a fuss).

“So if Malaysia wants to stop making artists they disapprove of more famous, they need to chill (or as they say in Malaysia “relak lah bro”),” she added.

She said jokingly that the band’s frontman, Healy, probably decided to pull that stunt after seeing her make the front page on the BBC news site.

Last week, The 1975 had their performance at the Good Vibes Festival (GVF) 2023 cut short after Healy criticised Malaysia’s anti-LGBT (lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender) laws before proceeding to kiss his male bandmate on stage.

Following the incident, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil ordered an immediate cancellation of the festival.

Police have received three reports so far on the disrespectful behaviour by the band.

Comedian Chia faces severe criticism for insensitive jokes about MH370 tragedy

In June of this year, Chia made inappropriate jokes about Malaysia, describing it as a developing country that was far behind and had been “abandoned” by Singapore.

She also made an insensitive reference to the tragic disappearance of Flight MH370 on 8 March 2014, which sparked outrage among Malaysians, local comedians, and the families of the passengers on board the plane.

On 13 June, it was reported that Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said an application would be made to Interpol to obtain Chia’s full identity and latest whereabouts.

In an interview with the BBC, she described the authorities’ move to involve Interpol as “overblown” and “ridiculous”. She had also implied that Interpol’s involvement would only make her famous.