The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has rejected allegations by comedian Sammy K. Obeid that his 31 August Singapore shows were cancelled due to censorship.
In a statement on 28 August 2025, IMDA clarified that the licence application for the shows at Victoria Theatre was submitted late and therefore could not be processed.
Application submitted after deadline
IMDA stated that the local representative filed the application on 15 August, only ten working days before the scheduled performance.
Regulations require at least 40 working days for processing.
According to the authority, the organiser was informed on 19 August that the late submission could not be accepted.
The decision was reiterated on 25 August in writing and via phone call.
IMDA also noted that the local representative was an experienced applicant and had previously submitted three late applications since May 2024.
Comedian alleges censorship
Obeid, a Palestinian-American born in Oakland, California, had announced two shows at Victoria Theatre.
He claimed on Instagram on 27 August that his permit was rejected just five days before the performance.
The comedian alleged that authorities demanded he remove references to Palestine and Israel, as well as two calls to action.
He said his first script, submitted “weeks and weeks” earlier, was rejected despite being toned down to only minimal references to the conflict.
Obeid claimed he then submitted a heavily edited script with further changes and “cryptic messages”, but this too was rejected. He alleged he was warned there would be no time for further revisions.
Social media reactions
Obeid’s post, in which he described his set as “almost entirely focused on the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” was reshared more than 800 times within hours and drew over 1,600 comments.
He apologised to audiences and said he would arrange refunds.
“At the very least, I will be contacting everyone about refunds and what I can offer at this point,” he wrote.
IMDA refutes script rejection claim
IMDA denied Obeid’s claims that it had demanded multiple script edits.
It explained that stand-up comedy is categorised as an unscripted performance, typically requiring only a synopsis and a recording of a similar show for review.
“At no time were multiple edits requested,” IMDA said, emphasising that the rejection was based solely on the late submission.
The authority added: “We have no information on when the decision was conveyed by the local representative to Mr Obeid.”
Obeid said the cancellation forced him to drop what would have been the largest stop on his Asia tour, expecting an audience of 1,001.
On his website, he describes himself as Lebanese-Palestinian-Syrian-Italian-American and has become known for performances centred on Middle Eastern politics.
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