Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug-related charges
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Namewee had claimed trial to possession of sildenafil and methamphetamine.
PHOTO: BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian rapper, singer and actor Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, was acquitted on May 14 by the Magistrate’s Court of two drug-related charges.
Chinese-language Malaysian newspaper Sin Chew Daily reported that Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni gave the order of discharge and acquittal after the prosecution informed the court that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had accepted Namewee’s second representation to drop the charges.
The Malaysian’s first representation, sent in April, was rejected.
Namewee, 43, arrived at court in a wheelchair. He later said on social media on May 14 that he had recently suffered a leg injury and used the wheelchair for comfort, denying it was a publicity stunt.
“I injured my foot the day before yesterday. Knowing I had to go to court today, I was worried that using a wheelchair would make people say I was putting on a show to gain sympathy. So, last night, I kept practising various ways of walking to make it unnoticeable. However, I realised my limping actually looked even more like acting,” he wrote in Chinese.
“When I arrived at the court today, I saw a large crowd of sensationalist reporters standing there,” he added. “I am going to get criticised whether I stand or sit anyway, so I would rather choose to be scolded while sitting down. It is much easier.”
According to Sin Chew Daily, prosecutors cited a lack of progress in the investigation and negative drug test results in deciding to discontinue the case.
The acquittal follows an earlier legal victory in December 2025, when Namewee was acquitted of a separate drug consumption charge after pathology reports found no trace of narcotics.
In January, Namewee claimed trial to possessing 0.78g of sildenafil, an offence under Section 9(1) of the Poisons Act, and an amended charge of possessing 1.57g of methamphetamine under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Sildenafil is widely known as a prescription treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The offences were allegedly committed at a hotel near Jalan Conlay at about 4.30pm on Oct 22, 2025.
Namewee was initially detained after notifying the authorities about the death of Taiwanese internet personality Iris Hsieh, 31. She was found in a hotel bathtub while reportedly collaborating with him on a video project.
Malaysian authorities later upgraded the case to a murder investigation, and Namewee previously cooperated with police inquiries. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
