Malaysia-born artiste Kamahl responds to past racist jokes on Australian show

The 86-year-old singer was the target of stereotype and racism on the variety show, 'Hey Hey It's Saturday'. Photo: Filepic

Malaysia-born, Australia-based singer Kamahl has decided to "just let bygones be bygones" after Australian host Daryl Somers apologised to him for the repeated offensive racist jokes at his expense on Hey Hey It's Saturday.

Kamahl appeared on the variety show, which ran from 1971 to 1999, several times and a few distasteful gags were aimed at him because of his skin colour.

In one prank on the show in 1984, Kamahl was hit in the face with white powder and then was told by co-host John Blackman, “You’re a real white man now Kamahl, you know that?”.

"Hey Hey was a landmine and I knew that I would get blown up here and there, but there were some instances that were harder to stomach to others," Kamahl, 86, said in an interview with ABC Australia.

"It's like losing your underpants. It's stripping you of everything. It's like being naked. It's a terrible feeling."

Somers said on Facebook: “I want to make it very clear that I and all members of the Hey Hey team do not condone racism in any form.

“I have always considered Kamahl a friend and supporter of the show, so I deeply regret any hurt felt by him as a result of anything that took place on the programme in the past."

Kamahl told ABC that he accepts the apology.

"Just let bygones be bygones. He's been a friend. I've never asked for (an) apology. I never wanted one. I appreciate his gesture in expressing his regrets," he said.

A pop and adult contemporary artiste, Kamahl, real name Kandiah Kamalesvaran, enjoyed success in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like Sounds Of Goodbye and The Elephant Song.

@OfficialKamahl @darylsomers

To whom it may concern, "This is to say that I, Kandiah Kamalesvaran, AKA Kamahl, accept and acknowledge the apology from friend Daryl Somers, unreservedly". — Kamahl AM (@OfficialKamahl) March 31, 2021