Namewee freed after 4-day remand

Singer Namewee was investigated by police over his Chinese New Year video, 'Like A Dog'.

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial singer Namewee was freed today after a four-day remand to assist police investigations into his Chinese New Year video, “Like a Dog”.

Dang Wangi Criminal Investigation Department chief DSP Gunalan Muniandy confirmed in a short WhatsApp message that the singer was freed on police bail.

He said police investigations under the Penal Code and Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) had been completed.

Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was detained last Thursday after he went to Bukit Aman to give his statement about the video.

Four police reports had been lodged against him over the controversial clip.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Namewee was being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for allegedly uttering words with the intention to wound the religious feelings of a person, and Section 233 of the CMA.

The “Like a Dog” video features Namewee with dog-barking sounds from around the world, accompanied by dancers wearing masks resembling dogs’ heads.

In the video, the Malaysian dogs sing “mari-mari, wang-wang” (“Come, come, money, money”). In Mandarin, however, “wang” can mean prosperity or luck.

Defending himself against his critics, Namewee 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 refuted allegations that the music video was filmed in front of a mosque. -FMT