KUALA LUMPUR — Singapore-born stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia has drawn ire for a joke she made about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

In an 89-second video clip posted to one of her social media accounts on Tuesday (June 6), she joked about Malaysia being a developing country that is far behind and was once "abandoned" by Singapore.

"My country is Singapore. After we gained independence from the British, we were a struggling little nation," she said during a performance at Comedy Cellar in New York.

"In order to survive, we formed a union with a larger, more powerful country, Malaysia.

"When my prime minister went on TV to announce that you guys had dumped us, he cried because he thought we were not going to survive without you.

"But then, 40 years later, we became a first-world country.

"And you guys? Malaysia, what are you now? Still a developing country."

The naturalised American also joked about Malaysia seeking to re-establish ties with Singapore.

"Why haven't you (Malaysia) paid me a visit in 40 years?" she asked.

In another voice, she replied: "I tried, but you know, our airplanes can't fly", as a graphic of a Malaysia Airlines plane appeared on the screen.

"What, Malaysia Airlines going missing is not funny, huh?

"Some jokes don't land," she said, in an apparent reference to flight MH370 that vanished on March 8, 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing, China.

The flight was carrying 239 passengers.

Ms Intan Maizura Othaman, wife of MH370 crew member Mohd Hazrin Mohamed Hasnan, left a comment on the video.

"When you attend a show that features an incompetent lawyer turned unfunny comedian, this is what you get. Epitome of heinous human!"

Malaysian comedian Harith Iskander also responded in an Instagram video.

"As a comedian, I respect the freedom of expression we need to do our job but it is equally important to exercise some level of sensitivity and empathy when doing certain material that is deeply personal or tragic," he said.

"Comedy can be a powerful tool for social commentary but it has to be used responsibly.

"Comedians should strive to create a positive and inclusive comedic environment. I make fun of Singapore all the time, it's part of the friendly banter that allows us to coexist.

"While we may still be a developing nation, when it comes to kindness and thoughtfulness, we are definitely first world."

Media personality Kudsia Kahar said Ms Chia's jokes were unacceptable.

"I am a huge supporter of stand-up comedians, especially from this region.

"I don't care that this Singaporean (sic) said 'f*** you, Malaysia' because we make fun of them on stage too.

"But I draw the line at turning MH370 into a joke. Not acceptable.

"A good stand-up never turns tragedy and deaths into a joke," she said. AGENCIES