Throughout the years, Malaysians like Michelle Yeoh (杨紫琼) and Henry Golding have spread their wings internationally in acting, making a mark in Hollywood and beyond. Another Malaysian who has made the country proud is Ronny Chieng (钱信伊), a popular comedian and actor who gained international fame through works like “Interior Chinatown” and “Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.”
Ronny, known for his sharp, dry, and sarcastic sense of humour, recently appeared in a Complex interview session alongside actor Jimmy O. Yang (歐陽萬成). The format involved each of them taking turns to draw a card and ask the other a question. Among the various topics discussed, one particular question went viral after Complex shared the moment on Instagram, featuring a bold and humorous statement by the Malaysian-born actor.
The Instagram clip begins with Ronny asking Jimmy, “What is the GOAT (greatest of all time) Asian country?” Jimmy, caught off guard, humorously avoids giving a direct answer, stating that he doesn’t want to reveal which country he considers the best in Asia. Ronny then jokingly suggests that Jimmy could rank Asian countries based on whether or not he would ride a roller coaster in them. Despite Ronny’s playful prompting, Jimmy hesitates to answer, leading Ronny to quip that everyone already knows the real answer.
Eventually, Jimmy shares his thoughts, saying he believes Japan might be the best choice, though he doesn’t want to sound biased or offend anyone. However, Ronny quickly interjects, joking that it’s a safe choice, claiming, “Any white person can say Japan is the best country in Asia.” Jimmy then flips the question back to Ronny, asking him to share his answer. Without hesitation, Ronny declares, “Malaysia is the GOAT country.”
Jimmy playfully doubts Ronny’s sincerity, suggesting his answer might be biased because it’s his hometown. Ronny quickly clarifies, stating that Malaysia has “The best food in the world,” and in his view, that makes the country superior. Jimmy then jokes about Ronny’s Instagram being filled with posts that seem to hate both Malaysians and Singaporeans. Ronny corrects him, saying he doesn’t hate Malaysians. Jimmy then asks, “Just Singaporeans?” to which Ronny humorously replies, “And Australians.”
The Instagram post sparked a flurry of reactions, with many Malaysians expressing pride and thanking Jimmy for acknowledging Malaysia. Some commenters pointed out Ronny’s subtle nod to the “Malaysia, Truly Asia” slogan during the interview, humorously promoting Malaysian tourism. A Singaporean commenter surprisingly agreed with Ronny’s statement about Malaysian food being better, while others speculated that Jimmy avoided naming Hong Kong due to its political sensitivity and potential backlash.
The camaraderie between Ronny and Jimmy has strengthened since they collaborated on “Interior Chinatown.” While some viewers might find parts of the interview controversial, it is essential to remember that their remarks were made with good humour and reflect personal opinions. Ronny’s bold answer sheds light on how Asians perceive themselves and each other, potentially fostering greater understanding and unity across cultures.
You can watch the viral video here:
Source: Instagram.
Sakinah contributed to this article.
