“Isn’t it weird, the biggest Racism and Discrimination that I’ve ever faced, was never from the Americans - It was from my own race” - Yuna

Malaysian pride, songstress Yunalis Zarai, fondly known as Yuna by fans of Yunaverse, was dragged into the race game, with an irresponsible parody aired on a Astro entertainment show MeleTOP.

In the Malay-language show hosted by comedian Nabil Ahmad and TV presenter Neelofa, comedian Shuk SYJ, who’s in blackface makeup acting as the African-American singer, extends his arms to comedian Jihan Muse playing Yuna as if he wants to hug her, but she bows down instead.

Blackface was a form of entertainment that started in the mid-19th century in which white men painted their faces black to play African-American characters. The performances made fun of black people by playing on racial stereotypes and downplayed slavery. Blackface is considered offensive.

The show mocked the live performance by Yuna and Usher on the song Crush at The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, the United States, last June that sparked controversy after he hugged the Muslim pop singer.

Watch the performance here: Crush https://youtu.be/B7RiK-l1tV0

The US based singer-songwriter, was earlier criticized for hugging the rapper during the show.

Astro entertainment show MeleTOP later apologized but the damage was done!

“We would like to sincerely apologize to Yuna & Usher for our recent parody video, which was poor judgement on our part. #MeleTOP,” MeleTOP tweeted from its @MyMeleTOP Twitter account last night. Rest assured that this does not reflect our values and beliefs. #MeleTOP. We have removed the video and would like to request everyone not to share it. Tq for your cooperation. #MeleTOP,”

Netizens noted the parody as a second incident where race mixed with entertainment leaves a bad taste. Earlier this week, two critically acclaimed movies, OLA BOLA by Chiu Keng Guan and JAGAT by Shanjhey Kumar were grouped into the non-Bahasa Malaysia categories in this year’s Festival Filem Malaysia (FFM). Chiu and Shanjhey were also nominated in the Best non-Bahasa Malaysia Director category. There should be in fact only one category, Malaysian movies as that's how they are recognized abroad! 

Actor and producer Afdlin Shauki had boycott this event over the segregation and was congratulated by CIMB Group Chairman Nazir Razak and AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes in an Instagram post.

“Respect. I was aghast to hear that my favourite, Ola Bola, and others can’t compete for best Malaysian movie. Why the segregation? Change will only happen because individuals like Afdlin make a principled stand, well done!”

The post received comments from many others, including AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes who said, actors such as Afdlin, Hans Isaac, and Harith Iskander might one day “win the Academy Award for a mixed movie”. “Remember Cuci?” he asked, referring to the 2008 comedy starring Afdlin and Hans Isaac. He added, “When will we realise our strength against the world is our diversity?”

PFM’s nominations list was questioned as it placed films like Munafik and Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit in the ceremony’s most coveted categories. Munafik was a mass commercial hit which starred and was directed by the President of PFM Yusof Haslam’s own son Syamsul Yusof on top of being produced by Yusof’s production house Skop Productions. Road film Mat Moto meanwhile was co-directed by Yusof’s younger son Syafiq Yusof and was a joint production between Skop and Viper Films