Malaysia-born comedian Ronny Chieng takes up US citizenship

Malaysia-born comedian-actor Ronny Chieng, who joked in November 2024 that Americans dismayed by the political situation in their country should go to Malaysia, is now an American citizen.

The 39-year-old, who is based in New York, has been a correspondent on the American satirical news programme The Daily Show since 2015. He was in the recent episode of the show featuring American actor Bill Murray.

“I just walked backstage. They said that you’re very excited today because today you just found out you’ve become an American citizen,” Murray, 74, said in a clip uploaded on YouTube on April 5.

“It’s a crazy, crazy day. Thank you, thank you. You are the best,” Chieng said. He hugged the Ghostbusters (1984 to 2024) star, who saluted him before leaving the stage.

Chieng returned to his seat and confirmed the news to the audience.

“It’s a crazy experience to become a US citizen the same day you’re supposed to interview Bill Murray. It’s been a long day,” he said.

In his usual deadpan manner, he continued: “I had to go for an interview. They ask you, like, 100 questions. It’s questions which I bet none of you can answer. I had to memorise how many colonies there were, and there was, like, a state, and who’s the president right now. It was very difficult.”

Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality. According to Article 23 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, a Malaysian citizen who is also or is about to become a citizen of another country may renounce his or her citizenship. 

Born in Johor Bahru, Chieng attended Singapore schools such as Fuchun Primary School, Pioneer Secondary School and Pioneer Junior College. He later furthered his studies in Australia.

He rose to fame after moving to New York and becoming a correspondent on The Daily Show. He also acted in Hollywood movies such as Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021).

In a November 2024 episode of The Daily Show, Chieng was asked by co-host Desi Lydic to say something to inspire Americans after Mr Donald Trump was

re-elected as US president.

“If you are feeling upset or hurt or depressed about the turn towards fascism that your beloved homeland is taking, then all you have to do is this,” Chieng said, taking out his Malaysian passport and flaunting it.

“Just look into your heart and you take out your foreign passport, and you go back to Malaysia where you came from until Trump leaves office,” he said.

Lydic asked Chieng how that could be inspiring when not all of them have Malaysian passports.

“Oh, I don’t know, it’s inspiring to me,” he said.