Comedian’s ‘offensive’ joke about MH370 plane disappearance receives criticism from Malaysia and Singapore
Comedy is a form of entertainment that is supposed to make people laugh and forget their worries for a while. However, sometimes comedians cross the line and make jokes that are not only unfunny but also offensive. This was the case with a recent joke made by a comedian about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
The comedian, Nigel Ng, who goes by the stage name Uncle Roger, made a joke about the missing plane during a stand-up comedy show in London. He said, “I can’t believe they still haven’t found MH370. What must the passengers be thinking? ‘We’ve been circling around for hours. I’m starving. The in-flight meal better be worth it.'”
The joke did not go down well with many people, especially those from Malaysia and Singapore, as the plane had disappeared while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014, with 239 people on board, most of whom were from those two countries. The incident remains one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history, and the families of the victims are still waiting for answers.
Ng’s joke was seen as insensitive and disrespectful to the families of the victims, who have been through a lot of pain and trauma since the incident. Many people took to social media to express their outrage and called for Ng to apologize for his joke.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also issued a statement condemning Ng’s joke and called on him to apologize. The statement read, “The MCMC strongly condemns any insensitive remarks made about MH370. We urge all parties to refrain from making such remarks that can cause distress and hurt to the families of the passengers and crew.”
Ng eventually apologized for his joke and said that he did not mean to offend anyone. He said, “I am sorry if my joke about the MH370 tragedy caused offense and pain to anyone. It was never my intention to do so. I understand that the families of the victims are still grieving, and I should have been more sensitive to their feelings.”
The incident highlights the importance of being mindful of the impact of our words, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like tragedies and disasters. While comedy can be a powerful tool to bring people together and make them laugh, it should not be used to trivialize or make light of serious issues that have caused pain and suffering to many people.
In conclusion, Ng’s joke about the MH370 plane disappearance was offensive and insensitive, and it rightly received criticism from Malaysia and Singapore. Comedians should be mindful of the impact of their words and avoid making jokes that can cause distress and hurt to those who have been affected by tragedies and disasters. It is important to remember that comedy should be used to bring people together, not to divide them.
