TV3 hosts suspended over racially tinged ‘joke’

TV3 has found itself in hot water. There’s nothing quite like making a joke, and failing miserably on national television, now is there?

Watson Nyambek, the decorated national sprinter and beloved sports figure, found himself the punchline to some rather unimaginative humor over the weekend on the comedy sports program Sukan Tak Sentral on TV3.

The host took an unnecessary swipe when, while saying the last syllable of Nyambek – his father’s first name following patronymic naming traditions – made the sound of a goat bleating. Twice. Oh and he also implied that the sprinter deserved to lose his national title for good measure.

The television host, and production crew have since issued an apology, and been suspended indefinitely.

The sprinter saw it as a swipe not so much against him: Nyambek had previously weathered personal attacks calling him“poor and bankrupt” without issue, but an attack on his deceased father.

The situation brought to light the extent that media was willing to go for cheap ratings. Program host Azizul Ammar Abu Hassan has apologized, saying that “I humbly admit that I went overboard in my bid to entertain the people… I had no intention to disrespect him and his family,” and that he would treat the incident as a lesson.”

One might question where the “entertainment” factor came into the picture. The only ones amused, watching the clip, seem to be the hosts themselves.

Is the lesson greater than just this? On social media, attention has been drawn to the fact that not only is Nyambek a sports hero who continues to donate his time and efforts to developing the country’s athletics department, but also the lack of sensitivity to one of Sarawak’s native tribes.

Nyambek is Iban, and when filing a police report, he stated that he was unclear of the program’s motives, but that they could be seen as inciting racial hatred by “belittling an Iban name.” Not to mention belittling the achievements of an Iban athlete.

Looks like the hosts need not just some comedy camp, but sensitivity training too.