Namewee remanded over CNY video

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman has confirmed the arrest and remand of 34-year-old controversial entertainer, Namewee.Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Director Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin in a statement said Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee was picked up by police at 2.45pm.

The statement further read that he was remanded following four police reports made against him with regard to a recent Chinese New Year music video that was deemed to be racially and religiously insensitive.

Earlier Thursday, the administrator of his official Facebook page also stated he had been hauled up.

Namewee remanded over CNY 'Like a Dog' music video.

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Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun later released a statement saying that the rapper had been arrested in relation to a music video that contained elements that "insulted religion" and could "harm national unity and racial harmony".

The IGP added that the police were investigating him under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The police had also been reported as saying that they are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the music video.

The "Like a Dog" video features Namewee with dog-barking sounds from around the world, accompanied by dancers wearing masks resembling a dog's head.

In the video, the Malaysian dogs sing "mari-mari, wang-wang" ("Come, come, money, money") but in Mandarin, "wang" can mean prosperity or luck.

Namewee had said the music video was made in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration of the Year of the Dog.

"It is just a form of entertainment and was not intended to insult any religion."

He also said allegations that the music video was filmed in front of a mosque were incorrect.

"The filming of this music video was made in an open space, away from any activities.

It was done along the main road of Putrajaya and not near the mosque.

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"The building in the rear, which is located approximately about one kilometre away is the Prime Minister's office.

Look properly," he said.

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