Cancelling S'porean comedian's show sets bad precedent, says MP

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has warned that the cancellation of Singaporean stand-up comedian Sharul Channa’s show will set a bad precedent.

Lee voiced concern that an art performance could be cancelled anytime before the show if police reports were lodged against them.

“It also runs contrary to the government’s aim to boost the economy and establish Malaysia or Klang Valley as the hub for arts and entertainment.

“While Perikatan Nasional is using fear tactics to restrict spaces for cultural and religious exchanges, the coalition government should stand firm to protect the unique multicultural backgrounds and openness that made Malaysia what it is today.

“Rationality prevails if it comes with a sense of humour,” the PKR lawmaker said in a statement today.

This comes after Sharul’s (above) show - which was scheduled for last night in Petaling Jaya - was cancelled following police reports filed against one of her old videos that allegedly touched on 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues.

She said her work visa was approved before the show, but the Central Agency for Application of Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists and the police revoked it at the eleventh hour following the complaints.

This was despite Sharul assuring that her set would not touch on 3R issues.

She was scheduled to perform at the “Just Joking” stand-up comedy show at the PJ Live Arts Centre along with local comedians such as Mad Sabah, Rizal van Geyzel, Shamaine Othman, and Hindra Bose.

The show was organised by Laugh Labs Entertainment Sdn Bhd, whose chief executive Phoon Chi Ho told news portal Scoop that the reports pertained to Sharul’s show in 2018, which recirculated on social media.

‘Halal-certified comedian’

The video was a snippet from “Comedy Central: Stand Up Asia! 2”, recorded in Malaysia six years ago.

A check revealed that in the video titled “Halal-certified comedian”, Sharul talked about the authorities sending “content police” to monitor her routine to make sure she did not speak about alcohol or dogs.

She also mentioned spotting the halal logo on a packet of tissues at a restaurant and joked about how she was given a halal certificate after completing her routine, as she did not speak about anything offensive.

“I’m a halal-certified comedian, ladies and gentlemen,” she said.

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