What is a surefire way to set Singaporeans off? Simply spout off every sentence with “Malaysia is better”.
That was what Johor Bahru-born actor-host Hero Tai did on the Dec 13 episode of Taiwanese variety show Student.
In the almost nine-minute exchange, Hero is first seen rudely sticking a sign on Singaporean singer Huang Jinglun with the words “no culture”, “no attractions” and “super boring” before going on his tirade.
“Singapore ‘stole’ Hainanese chicken rice, bak kut and char kway teow and Nyonya kueh from Malaysia… existing before Singapore became independent,” said Tai, his rant met with cries of protest from the Singaporean guests.
Huang spoke up for Singapore, saying: “This is an issue for Malaysia’s tourism board and if you cannot promote your own things and need us (Singapore), you have a big problems.”
From left: Hero Tai with Singaporeans Huang Jinglun and Gina Lim, both of whom are based in Taiwan. (Photo: Screengrab from Student) Huang also used the analogy of cover songs, explaining that “if a song’s original version is not popular, but the cover version is, it is not the fault of the cover singer”. They never said to be original, only that the cover is nicer, he added.
However, it seemed Tai wasn’t done. He upped the ante, retorting that one doesn’t need to stay longer than three days in Singapore and that Singapore’s attractions like Jewel’s Rain Vortex and Gardens by the Bay are “man-made”.
He finally ended his verbal tirade calling the Singaporean guests on the show “man-made people.”
Hero quickly garnered criticism online with one netizen writing: “When a person has an inferiority complex, he will belittle others to make himself feel superior.”
Other netizens also praised the Singaporean guests on the show for responding with grace in the face of the unprovoked attacks saying, “Only the rich can afford to be so gracious.”
This story was originally published in 8Days.