IGP to ask Interpol for help in getting controversial US stand-up comic Jocelyn Chia for intentional insult against Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Malaysian police will formally apply to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to locate the whereabouts of Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia said to be based in New York for her insensitive remarks about Malaysia during a recent comedy skit.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani the application to obtain Chia's identity and her present location will be made as soon as possible to enable investigations to start, news agency Bernama reported today.
“The case is being investigated under Section 504505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he was quoted telling reporters during a visit to a hospital in Cheras in conjunction with the 216th Police Day.
Section 504 of the Penal Code addresses intentional insult to provoke a breach of the peace, which is punishable under Section 505 with a maximum jail sentence of two years, a fine, or both.
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act deals with the improper use of network facilities.
Acryl Sani also said the police has also asked the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to profile of the social media accounts used by Chia.
“We have also made a transcript of the suspect's speech in the video clip,” he was quoted as saying.
It is unclear if the police is seeking to extradite Chia to Malaysia for the investigations or if there will be charges.
Malaysia and the United States signed an extradition treaty in 1995.
Chia became an overnight sensation on social media for her disparaging cracks against Malaysia in a stand-up comedy skit on The Comedy Cellar, a US-based show that was aired on the internet last week.
In particular, her remarks about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that disappeared on March 8, 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with all 239 people on board presumed dead sparked a nationwide backlash here.
Her skit also drew protest from Umno Youth last week, where the party's wing handed over a memorandum to the United States Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters, urging for a thorough investigation into the incident is conducted and appropriate measures taken to address the situation.
Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon also denounced Chia and apologised to all Malaysians in a separate statement, adding that the stand-up performer who was born in Singapore is no longer a citizen of the country.
Chia has been reported by Singapore newspaper The Straits Times to have become a naturalised US citizen.
