Malaysian rapper Namewee was launched on bail Thursday after the musician was named a “individual of curiosity” in an investigation into the loss of life of a Taiwanese influencer, police stated.
Namewee, whose beginning identify is Wee Meng Chee, was launched till November 26 pending the outcomes of an post-mortem of Iris Hsieh, often known as Hsieh Yu-hsin or “nurse goddess” to followers, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus stated in a press release.
The musician has maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing and stated in an Instagram put up earlier this month that “the reality will converse for itself.”
Following the post-mortem, the investigation shall be referred again to the deputy public prosecutor’s workplace, Marsus added. Authorities didn’t provide the quantity of the bail.
Hsieh, a 31-year-old influencer, was discovered lifeless on October 22 in a tub at a high-end lodge within the Malaysian capital. She was in Malaysia to debate a business video Namewee had agreed to direct, her social media supervisor beforehand advised the BBC.
Namewee, 42, is believed to have been the final individual with Hsieh earlier than she died, police stated.
Namewee, an actor, filmmaker and outspoken hip-hop artist who primarily sings in Mandarin, has discovered success in China and Taiwan.
SAM YEH/AFP through Getty Photographs
Recognized for his trademark beanie, which now and again he pairs with sun shades, Namewee was blacklisted by Beijing in 2021 after he penned a Mandarin music mocking Chinese language nationalists — that amassed greater than 30 million views on YouTube.
Namewee isn’t any stranger to controversy, nonetheless, sparking widespread criticism in his house nation over the 2007 launch of “Negarakuku”, a parody of the Malaysian nationwide anthem.
He was additionally detained in Malaysia in 2016 for a number of days after he allegedly insulted Islam in a video partly filmed inside a mosque within the Muslim-majority nation. Namewee insisted the video for the music “Oh My God” was supposed to advertise non secular concord, the BBC reported on the time.
Simply two years later, he was arrested once more for insulting Islam with a Lunar New Yr video that featured dancers sporting canine masks and performing suggestive strikes.
Malaysian media reported Namewee contacted emergency providers shortly after midnight on Oct. 22 after he discovered Hsieh unresponsive within the lavatory.
Police arrested Namewee that very same day, after they discovered 9 blue tablets believed to be ecstasy within the lodge room, the BBC reported. Namewee denied he had used medicine however examined optimistic for a number of illicit substances, together with amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine and THC, police stated, in line with the BBC.
He pleaded not responsible to the drug costs, the BBC reported.
Hsieh has over half 1,000,000 followers on Instagram. She had 4 different social media accounts suspended for “grownup sexual solicitation,” CNA reported.
Hsieh’s social media supervisor, who requested solely to be known as Chris, advised the BBC that her household had been unable to go to Malaysia to observe up on the case due to their “extreme disabilities.”
