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Malaysian rapper Namewee has been detained by Kuala Lumpur police after authorities upgraded the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin to a murder investigation tied to a video project the two were reportedly collaborating on.
The 42-year-old artist, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, surrendered himself to authorities at the Dang Wangi police headquarters on November 4. Police later confirmed that a magistrate approved a six-day remand order, keeping him in custody until November 10 as the probe continues.
Hsieh, a 31-year-old social media personality known to fans as the “nurse goddess,” was found unresponsive in a hotel bathtub in Kuala Lumpur on October 22. She had traveled from Taiwan just two days earlier to film a commercial video directed by Namewee, according to her team. Police initially classified her death as “sudden,” but reclassified it as murder after uncovering new evidence.
Malaysian media reported that Namewee contacted emergency services after finding Hsieh in the bathroom. He was arrested that same day when police discovered nine blue pills believed to be ecstasy in the hotel room. Authorities later said he tested positive for several illicit substances, including amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC, though Namewee has denied using drugs and pleaded not guilty to separate drug-related charges.
His attorney, Joshua Tay, told reporters that police had requested a seven-day detention, but the court granted six. “The investigation is still ongoing,” Tay said, adding that his client maintains his innocence.
Namewee addressed the situation earlier this month on Instagram, writing that “the truth will speak for itself.”
A polarizing figure in Malaysia’s entertainment scene, Namewee rose to fame in 2007 after releasing “Negarakuku,” a parody of the national anthem that sparked national outrage. Since then, he’s faced multiple arrests over alleged blasphemy and controversial content, and was blacklisted by China in 2021 after releasing a satirical Mandarin track that mocked Chinese nationalism—amassing over 30 million YouTube views.
Meanwhile, Hsieh’s death has drawn widespread attention across Taiwan and Southeast Asia. With over half a million Instagram followers, the influencer and former nurse built her brand on lifestyle and modeling content. Her social media manager told the BBC that her family, who have disabilities, have been unable to travel to Malaysia to follow up on the case.
As of now, Malaysian authorities have not revealed any formal charges related to Hsieh’s death. The investigation remains active as Namewee continues to be held for questioning.
