Malaysia asks Interpol to track down Singaporean comedian over 'horrendous' joke

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Malaysia has asked Interpol to track down a Singaporean comedian after she made what was described as "horrendous" comments about missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

Jocelyn Chia will be investigated by Malaysian police for violating the country's laws with “offensive content and insulting speech,” Kuala Lumpur-based Bernama News reported on Wednesday.

Sani Abdullah Sani, Malaysian police chief, told reporters that police will seek Interpol's assistance in determining the complete identity and whereabouts of Chia.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with the BBC, Chia, a US citizen who grew up in Singapore, said the joke has been "taken out of context" after the clip became viral.

"I have (made the joke) hundreds of times and even did a shorter version of it in Singapore. It always cracks the audience up. I wouldn't have used it again if it didn't work," she told BBC.

"I just wish I could have seen the face of the Interpol officer who received this request," she said. "Honestly, if Interpol does something about this request and things escalate, can you imagine how famous it is going to make me?"

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan issued an apology, calling her joke “horrendous.”

“I am appalled by her horrendous statements. She certainly does not speak for Singaporeans,” he said on Twitter last week. “We treasure our ties with family and friends in Malaysia, and are sorry for the offence and hurt caused to all Malaysians.”

In March 2014, Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared from radar shortly after it took off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers and crew on board.

The jetliner has yet to be found despite massive search operations in the southern Indian Ocean where the aircraft was believed to have ended its flight after diverting from its original route.​​​​​​​