Jocelyn Chia's MH370 joke inhumane, insensitive, says Transport Minister

SHAH ALAM: Jocelyn Chia's joke about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is inhumane and insensitive, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke told a press conference here on Thursday (June 8) that it was not right to joke about a tragedy which claimed over 200 lives.

“We condemn in our strongest terms jokes that are highly insensitive, insolent and rude,’’ Loke said.

He said this at a press conference after launching a programme involving the Port Klang Authority, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, various government agencies, terminal operators and freight forwarding industry players.

In addition to being inhumane and rude, Chia’s quip in the guise of comedy, was also highly offensive, said Loke.

He added that he had texted Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran after the issue went viral and he too was shocked with what Chia had said.

“I can see that Singapore is taking immediate steps to ensure that it is not made into an issue that can affect relations between the two nations,’’ said Loke.

Loke added what had happened was also a lesson to all stand-up comedians, including those in Malaysia that there is a limit to what can and cannot constitute a joke.

“A tragedy cannot be made into a joke,’’ said Loke.

Chia had made fun of Malaysia for lagging behind Singapore and then joked about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. in her stand-up comedy routine at a comedy club in the United States