BY: NADHIRA ZA

There is a saying that “life is a joke,” and whether it is a good or bad joke depends a lot on how it goes down with the audience, and in some cases, there may be offences and it is important that those who crack jokes understand this is no laughing matter.

But what is so terribly sad to witness in Malaysia now is that there are Malaysians who are too serious and cannot take a joke and it is important to lighten up or the joke or jokes can cause jokers to shed tears.

In the case of the Era FM incident, where the announcers poked fun at the Hindus for the way and manner in which they go about celebrating Thaipusam, it has obviously been blown out of proportion as being a mockery of Hinduism.

There is such a thing as taking it with a pinch of salt, and accepting it all as a good laugh and many Malaysians did not see it as deeply offensive, and even most Hindu’s took it in their stride with the exception of those fanatical about their faith.

In another incident, where jokes were cracked about Muslims and the eating of pork by comedian Harith Iskandar and celebrity Cecilia Yap Song, both were hauled up by the authorities after much ado by Islamic extremists.

If Malaysians are going to be so particular and fussy about race and religion, and deem the jokes cracked about them offensive and touches on sensitivities, then it becomes obvious that they can never be able to live in peace and goodwill.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher