Popular Malaysian rapper Namewee has been charged with illegal drug use and possession, local media reported, quoting Kuala Lumpur police. Namewee, who pleaded not guilty to both charges, has been released on bail after being arrested last month, authorities said.
The 42-year-old is known for his satirical songs and music videos about taboo topics in Malaysia, ranging from obscenity to religion to China's censorship. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Namewee denied using or carrying drugs.
The truth will be out when the police report is released, he wrote.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus stated that Namewee was arrested on October 22 in a hotel room where officers discovered pills believed to be ecstasy - also known as MDMA. Namewee later tested positive for illicit substances including amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC, leading to his two-day remand.
If convicted of drug possession, he could face up to five years in jail along with corporal punishment. Additionally, a police official reported that Namewee had been at the same hotel as Iris Hsieh, a Taiwanese influencer found dead in her hotel room bathtub. Namewee expressed heartfelt sorrow over Hsieh's death, noting the ambulance took nearly an hour to arrive.
He further stated that he had remained silent due to the ongoing investigation, though it remains unclear if he's referencing his drug charges or Hsieh's death. The rapper also mentioned receiving blackmail in recent days, asserting his intention to fight to the end.
Namewee has a history of controversy with his music; in 2016, he was arrested for a music video that critics claimed insulted religious sentiments. His 2021 song Fragile poked fun at Chinese nationalists and addressed sensitive political issues, becoming viral among Mandarin-speaking audiences but subsequently banned in China.
