Malaysian rapper Namewee faces drug charges after October arrest
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Malaysian rapper Namewee (seen here in a 2024 photo) denied using drugs or having any involvement in the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian rapper Namewee has been charged with two drug-related offences following his arrest in October.
Kuala Lumpur police chief, Commissioner Fadil Marsus, said the 42-year-old, whose name is Wee Meng Chee, was detained by a team from the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur at about 4.30pm on Oct 22.
“During a search of the room, police discovered nine blue pills believed to be Ecstasy, weighing approximately 5.12g,” he said in a statement on Nov 3.
Wee was subsequently taken to the Dang Wangi police station. In an initial urine screening, he tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and THC.
“He was remanded for two days,” Datuk Fadil said.
He said the singer was then charged in court under two separate provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act on Oct 24.
“The first charge was for possession of drugs. Wee pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of RM4,000 (S$1,240) with one local surety,” he said.
“The second charge was for drug use after testing positive for the substances. He also pleaded not guilty and was granted another RM4,000 bail with a local surety.”
The case has been fixed for mention on Dec 18.
Wee on Nov 2 denied using drugs or having any involvement in the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh,
He posted a statement on Instagram on Nov 2 after what he described as “unsubstantiated news reports” linked him to the death of Ms Hsieh Yu-hsin, also known as Iris Hsieh, who was found dead in a hotel bathtub on Oct 22.
According to Malaysian newspaper Sin Chew Daily, Namewee and Ms Hsieh had been working on a video together and were discussing matters in the hotel room.
Ms Hsieh then went to the bathroom to take a shower alone, but allegedly did not come out after half an hour, prompting Namewee to check on her.
It was reported that he found her body after she did not come out of the bathroom, and called the police. Her body was found in a bathtub without any water in the tub or on the floor. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
