Producers Of A Singaporean Gameshow Had To Apologise For Their Segment About PM Najib
Some people didn't think their jokes were funny.
By Tang Ruxyn — 05 Apr 2017, 05:53 PM
A Singaporean comedy show has come under the spotlight after a segment of the show included references to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently
'OK Chope!' is a programme by Singaporean television and radio broadcaster Mediacorp and is the country's first-ever live comedy panel show on Channel 5.
A segment of the show which was aired on 29 March courted controversy as the panel of comedian had apparently made offensive remarks concerning Najib.
The show is hosted by actress and radio DJ Vernetta Lopez and her panelists which consist of popular local comedians namely Najip Ali, Mike Kasem, Rishi Budhrani, and Sam See.
In that particular episode, the panellists were asked to fill in the blanks to complete a headline of a news story involving Najib.
How did they respond?
"Najib slams… kissing Malaysian officers," Sam said.
"Najip with the 'P' slams Najib with the 'B'," quipped Najip, who is currently a regular jury in the popular Malaysian reality programme, 'Maharaja Lawak Mega'.
"The truth is, Najib slams himself for threatening Malaysia's progress," Rishi replied.
"Najib slams the news for threatening Malaysia’s progress," Mike said after that.
Sam then answered for the second time, "The most dangerous thing, 'Beauty And The Beast', for threatening Malaysia's progress."
Rishi then said, "Najib slams the bomoh's head with his own coconut for threatening Malaysia’s progress."
All of the comedians' answers seemed to have implied references to the latest happenings in social media, news and pop culture in Malaysia.
It was revealed that the correct answer to the question was, "Najib slams fake news for threatening Malaysia’s progress"
As host, Vernetta went on to explain the context of the headline where Najib had reportedly said that fake news almost jeopardised a USD7 million (RM31 billion) deal between Malaysia's oil and gas firm Petronas with a Saudi Arabian oil company.
This led to a response from Sam who said, "Once again, the Saudis are giving him money. What a surprise."
Since then, this particular segment of the show has been making its round on social media
The segment drew the ire of Malaysian netizens who said that Singaporeans have "no right" to make fun of the leader of Malaysia and that they were being disrespectful.
Others said that they didn't find the segment to be offensive because "politicians are being mocked all the time".
On the other hand, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak has expressed his disappointment that the media owned by the Singaporean government lacked "sensitivity".
Meanwhile, both Persatuan Seniman Malaysia (Malaysian Artistes Association) and Selangor UMNO Youth demanded the producers of the show to issue an apology for insulting and ridiculing Najib. They also singled out Najip and said that the celebrity host should apologise over the matter, or face a ban from future Malaysian TV shows.
Responding to the issue, Mediacorp has issued an official apology today, 5 April
"Channel 5 and the production team behind OK Chope! wish to sincerely apologise to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for a segment on last week’s episode."
"Last week's episode included references to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak which were in poor taste and offensive. We apologise unreservedly for this mistake," the statement read.
Mediacorp also said that the segment will be pulled from future telecast.
In the same statement, Najip has also extended a formal apology saying, "I realise how insensitive and callous I was. I would like to apologise unreservedly to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. I beg his forgiveness and that of my viewers and friends."