Popular Malaysian rapper Namewee has been charged with illegal drug use and possession, pleading not guilty after his arrest last month. The case is intertwined with the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh, adding complexity to the legal proceedings.
Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was arrested on October 22 in a Kuala Lumpur hotel room where police found nine blue pills suspected to be ecstasy. He was subsequently remanded for two days and underwent urine tests that confirmed the presence of amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC. The arrest followed a police check, though the specific reason for the sweep was not disclosed by authorities.
On October 24, Namewee appeared in the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates Court and was formally charged with two offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952: one for drug possession and one for drug use. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on bail set at RM4,000 (approximately US$953) with one local surety for each charge. A case mention has been scheduled for December 18, where further developments will be addressed.
If convicted, Namewee faces severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and nine strokes of the cane for drug possession, and up to two years for drug use. The charges stem from the discovery of the pills and the positive drug tests, which authorities cited as evidence. Namewee has consistently denied any drug involvement, stating in social media posts that he only consumed alcohol recently.
The case gained additional attention due to its connection with the death of Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin, a Taiwanese influencer known as the “nurse goddess,” who was found unresponsive in a hotel bathtub while collaborating with Namewee on a video project. Conflicting reports place her death on either October 22 or October 30. Namewee claimed he found her, administered CPR, and called emergency services, but criticized the slow ambulance response, which he said took nearly an hour.
In an Instagram post on November 2, Namewee expressed condolences for Hsieh’s death and denied any involvement, while also refuting the drug charges. He alleged that he and his team had faced blackmail in recent days but vowed to “fight to the end.” He emphasized that the truth would emerge from the police investigation and urged the public to await official reports.
Namewee, 42, is no stranger to controversy, having built a career on satirical music that tackles sensitive topics in Malaysia and beyond. He was previously arrested in 2016 for a video deemed insulting to Islam and in 2014 for criticizing a power company. His 2021 song “Fragile” went viral but was banned in China for addressing political issues like Taiwan’s status and Uyghur persecution.
The ongoing legal battle highlights issues of drug enforcement in Malaysia and the scrutiny faced by public figures. As the case progresses, it may influence discussions on celebrity culture, legal rights, and cross-border media coverage in Southeast Asia. The December court date will be a key moment for updates on both the drug charges and any potential links to Hsieh’s death.