Update (28 Aug):
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has rejected claims that it demanded script edits from comedian Sammy Obeid. In a statement, IMDA said the application for his shows at Victoria Theatre was submitted late on 15 Aug, only 10 working days before the scheduled performance, when regulations require at least 40 working days.
IMDA stated that “at no time were multiple edits requested” and emphasised that the applicant was an experienced organiser who had previously submitted late applications on three occasions since May 2024. The authority said it informed the applicant on 19 Aug that the late submission could not be processed, and reiterated this on 25 Aug.
Stand-up comedy, IMDA noted, is classified as an unscripted performance and normally requires a synopsis and recording of a similar show rather than a full script.
American writer and comedian Sammy K. Obeid announced that his stand-up performance in Singapore scheduled for 31 Aug 2025 had been cancelled.
In a 27 Aug Instagram post, Obeid stated that the Singapore authorities had rejected the permit application required for the show. He claimed the rejection came only five days before the scheduled date.
Obeid, who is Palestinian-American and has frequently spoken about the Gaza conflict, said the decision had forced him to cancel what was intended to be the largest event on his Asia tour.
He alleged that Singapore authorities had directed him to remove all mentions of Palestine and Israel from his material, as well as two indirect calls to action embedded in jokes encouraging audiences to raise awareness about Gaza and humanitarian support.
According to his account, he submitted a heavily edited script which only briefly referenced Palestine and included a single mention of Israel in the context of a mathematical joke. Despite these changes, the script was rejected.
In Singapore, stand-up comedy performances require an arts entertainment licence from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
The Online Citizen (TOC) had reached out to IMDA for comment on Obeid’s claims and will provide an update should the authority issue a statement.
Attempts to comply with regulations
Obeid said he was prepared to make further concessions to secure approval, including deleting remaining references and reworking sections involving audience interaction, which regulators reportedly opposed.
“I completely caved on my conscience so that there could be a show,” he wrote.
“I didn’t feel good about it at all, but would rather do so than cancel on literally 1001 fans.”
Nevertheless, he claimed the authorities refused to grant the permit, citing insufficient time for revisions and concerns about what he might say during the performance.
Expressions of disappointment to fans
In his IG post, Obeid apologised to fans who had purchased tickets or made weekend plans to attend the event.
“If you bought tickets and planned your entire weekend around seeing this show – I am beyond sorry,” he wrote.
“I planned my whole tour of Asia around this specific event – it was supposed to be the biggest show of the tour.”
He added that he had explored alternatives, including converting the event into a children’s show to bypass licensing requirements, but no promoters were willing to assume the risk.
Artistic challenges in Singapore
Obeid described the licensing process in Singapore as “extremely difficult” and said he had been warned about the challenges in advance.
He nonetheless chose to proceed with experienced partners who were familiar with the system.
“There’s hours of paperwork, obtaining licences, and submitting my ‘script’ for approval,” he wrote.
“Of course I don’t normally script my performances… but I was happy to follow the process in order to put on a show for my 1000+ fans.”
He also criticised the restrictions on audience interaction, noting that the authorities disapproved of his plan to engage in spontaneous conversations with attendees.
“Have they not seen crowd work clips on TikTok?” he remarked.
Subtle references and rejected workarounds
Obeid said that, after removing direct references, he attempted to embed “subtle cryptic messages” in otherwise innocuous jokes as a compromise.
Examples included wordplay such as “Don’t occupations suck?” and references to watermelons, a symbol sometimes associated with Palestinian solidarity.
However, these efforts were also rejected.
He described feeling conflicted between artistic integrity and the desire to perform for supporters in Singapore.
Broader concerns about censorship
Obeid said he was working with organisers to ensure refunds for ticket holders and exploring alternative ways to engage with Singapore-based supporters, although he acknowledged options were limited.
“At the very least I will be contacting everyone about refunds and what I can offer at this point,” he wrote.
He added that the cancellation had left him questioning his artistic approach.
“I would end this with a motivational message about always standing up for what you believe in, but I didn’t, and now I can’t even do standup.”
“We even tried to change it from a comedy show to a children’s show to bypass needing a license. But no promoter wanted to take that risk.”
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