In response to reports of Malaysian police seeking Interpol's assistance in locating her, comedian Jocelyn Chia dismissed the situation as exaggerated and absurd in an interview with BBC. The government news agency Bernama had earlier reported that local authorities intended to enlist Interpol's help in identifying and finding Chia.
Chia, during her interview with CNN, expressed that her joke had been taken out of context in a short, edited clip that was subsequently shared on social media platforms.
Regarding the involvement of Interpol, Chia humorously remarked to BBC that her intention was not to mock the MH370 tragedy but rather to find humor within it. She further quipped, "I just wish I could have seen the face of the Interpol officer who received this request. Honestly, if Interpol does take action and things escalate, can you imagine how famous it is going to make me?"
As of now, Interpol has confirmed that it has not yet received any formal request for assistance from the Malaysian police.
The Jocelyn Chia Saga began when her stand-up routine went viral, making a reference to the missing MH370 flight and including profanities directed at an audience member claiming to be Malaysian. This sparked substantial backlash in Malaysia, with many Malaysians criticizing Chia, as well as Singapore and the United States, online.
In response to the controversy, Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, issued an apology to all Malaysians for Chia's remarks. Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, also expressed remorse to Malaysians, emphasizing that Chia's statements did not represent the views of Singaporeans and highlighting the importance of the strong ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
The incident even led members of the Umno youth to stage a protest outside the U.S. embassy in Malaysia, reflecting the extent of the controversy's impact.
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