Nabil Luqman

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Social

Malaysia

comedian

heritage

citizenship

goodbye

Ronny Chieng

The Daily Show

Malaysian-born comedian Ronny Chieng, who has carved a niche for himself in the American entertainment scene, recently added another major milestone to his life &mdash; becoming a United States citizen. The moment was made even more memorable when Hollywood legend Bill Murray made a surprise appearance to congratulate him live on The Daily Show.
A Surprise from Bill Murray
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/dc8210cef3c43c5f6279dac44135824b5ee39012c1b4293b694cdcb3793e5cb3" />
During a taping of The Daily Show, where Chieng currently serves as host and senior correspondent, the comedian was mid-monologue when Bill Murray casually strolled on stage. The audience erupted in cheers as Murray approached Chieng with a warm handshake and heartfelt congratulations.
&ldquo;They said that you&rsquo;re very excited today because you just found out you&rsquo;ve become an American citizen,&rdquo; Murray said with a grin, before planting a cheeky kiss on Chieng&rsquo;s cheek, giving him a salute, and exiting to a standing ovation.
Clearly overwhelmed but amused, Chieng responded with his trademark wit: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a crazy experience to become a US citizen the same day you&rsquo;re supposed to interview Bill Murray. It&rsquo;s been a long day.&rdquo;
The Journey to Citizenship
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/7a1d105410ccd45a0540a316fa06fb2a1f27b32219fd51a3b0229ff2322eaea0" />
Chieng didn&rsquo;t hold back in describing the demanding process that led to his new citizenship status. He joked that the naturalisation interview required him to answer &ldquo;like a hundred questions,&rdquo; including ones that many Americans might struggle to answer.
&ldquo;They ask you how many colonies there were, the names of the states, and who the president is right now. It was very difficult,&rdquo; he remarked, drawing laughter from the studio audience.
Becoming a US citizen through naturalisation requires lawful permanent residency and successful completion of several eligibility requirements, including a civics test and an oath of allegiance, as established by the US Immigration and Nationality Act. Chieng&rsquo;s humorous take on this serious process resonated with many immigrants who have undergone similar challenges.
Saying Goodbye to Malaysia &ndash; Legally
&nbsp;<img src="https://r2.myc.my/5eff47526129c81be71b5e70da6312441b53f843e30ed384045287d1be846a21" />
Born in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, Chieng spent much of his upbringing between Singapore and the United States before moving to Australia for his university education. Despite his international background and evident love for Malaysia, obtaining US citizenship meant he had to officially renounce his Malaysian nationality.
According to Article 24 of Malaysia&rsquo;s Federal Constitution, the country does not permit dual citizenship. This means that Malaysians who choose to take up citizenship in another country must relinquish their Malaysian citizenship as a legal requirement.
While this rule has drawn criticism from some quarters, it remains a longstanding aspect of Malaysia&rsquo;s nationality law. For Chieng, it marked a bittersweet moment &mdash; gaining a new nationality while bidding farewell to his birth country in official terms.
A Global Career Rooted in Comedy
Ronny Chieng launched his comedy career in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks with his sharp observational humour and deadpan delivery. His performances often touch on themes of race, identity, immigration, and politics &mdash; subjects he tackles with a unique blend of sincerity and sarcasm.
Since joining The Daily Show in 2015, Chieng has become known for his incisive and often fearless take on controversial topics. Beyond television, his film credits include major hits such as Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Marvel&rsquo;s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), solidifying his status as a rising star in both comedy and Hollywood.
Balancing Humour and Heritage
&nbsp;<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-yBmQUFrbE" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Despite his growing success in the United States, Chieng has always stayed connected to his Malaysian roots. In an earlier segment on The Daily Show, he once joked about leaving America to wait out Donald Trump&rsquo;s presidency in Malaysia. Speaking directly to viewers, he said, &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re feeling upset about the turn to fascism the country has taken, take out your passport and go back to Malaysia until Trump leaves office.&rdquo;
Such remarks, though tongue-in-cheek, underscore his complex relationship with both nations &mdash; simultaneously critiquing and celebrating aspects of each. His comedy often reflects the dualities of immigrant life: pride in one's heritage, frustration with bureaucracy, and the struggle for belonging.
A Warm Reception from Fans and Peers
News of Chieng&rsquo;s citizenship sparked widespread congratulatory messages from fans and fellow entertainers alike. Social media was abuzz with clips of Bill Murray&rsquo;s surprise appearance, which many found heartwarming and hilarious in equal measure.
Some viewers joked that Chieng&rsquo;s new citizenship allows him to continue roasting American society without the fear of deportation. Others praised the comedian&rsquo;s journey as a testament to the immigrant experience, filled with ambition, compromise, and humour.
While a few quipped that it might not be the best time to be an American citizen given the country&rsquo;s political landscape, the sentiment was largely celebratory. Chieng&rsquo;s fans &mdash; both in the US and Malaysia &mdash; applauded his continued authenticity and unapologetic voice.
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/95565ff2c5e89047fb04071f5cdbfd5a8756a2309ac592fb3946d96047c2cd28" />
A Comedian Who Crosses Borders
As Ronny Chieng embarks on this new chapter as an American citizen, he remains a powerful symbol of how comedy can transcend borders. His journey from Johor to New York, from Malaysian citizen to American comic icon, is a reminder that humour can be both personal and political &mdash; and that identity, no matter how complicated, can be a source of both strength and laughter.
Whether he&rsquo;s delivering punchlines about life in America or recalling childhood memories from Malaysia, Chieng continues to bridge cultures with sharp insight and enduring charm. In an increasingly divided world, his story stands as proof that laughter truly knows no borders.
Do you think it was the right move for him to give up his Malaysian citizenship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
&nbsp;
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*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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He now joins more than 50,000 M’sians who have officially renounced their citizenship.

638b6cc75914bd9c4482155f86a427dc55143122a0a5be1082dbd05b60f98e1c

From Johor To New York: Ronny Chieng Becomes A US Citizen After Renouncing His Malaysian Citizenship

From Johor To New York: Ronny Chieng Becomes A US Citizen After Renouncing His Malaysian Citizenship

He now joins more than 50,000 M’sians who have officially renounced their citizenship.

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