Malaysians unhappy with host Wang Lei's live-stream gimmicks

Getai performer and live-stream host Wang Lei, 61, has upset some Malaysian netizens with his social media posts. The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), which purports to help foreign workers in Malaysia, has said Wang's videos contain "obscene content".

The Malaysian Malay-language daily Berita Harian - which is unrelated to the newspaper of the same name published by SPH Media Trust in Singapore - reported that the MHO has submitted a memo to the Malaysian authorities to blacklist Wang and prevent him from entering the country.

MHO secretary Hishamuddin Hashim highlighted an April 25 live stream in which Wang wore a pink bra and cream skirt to help sell clothes by Johor clothing brand Peni Concept.

Datuk Hishamuddin called these actions "indecent" and said they "encouraged porn culture ".

He added: "(Wang) was reported to have made a promotion at a shopping centre in Ipoh, Perak, which was broadcast live on his Facebook, asking a local woman to blow condoms to make them into balloons."

The MHO claimed that more than 20 police reports have been made against Wang, requesting the local authorities to "take action".

Though controversial, Wang's cross-dressing gimmick was ultimately successful, as he reportedly sold 8,000 bras in 15 minutes.

It is not the first time the veteran getai singer has landed in hot water with Malaysian netizens.

It was reported in April that he had angered other local live streamers with his offer of a cash reward for information about a woman who had gone missing since April 5. He said that the offer was made despite great personal risk to himself.

"If (the woman) has really been kidnapped by someone, have I offended the kidnappers? Won't it be very dangerous for me if I go to Malaysia? What if they let her go and kidnap me instead? I'm older so I'm easier to catch," he said.

Malaysians subsequently accused him of using the woman's plight to create cheap publicity and making the country out to be more dangerous than it actually is.

Such was the heat that Singapore film-maker Jack Neo stepped up to defend Wang, explaining that his actions were borne of good intentions. Neo said in a Facebook Live video: "Wang is a simple-minded person, when he sets his mind to do something, he doesn't care about anything else or who he might offend."