Malaysian prosecutor says no proof linking rapper Namewee to Taiwanese influencer’s death

Malaysia’s top prosecutor said on Wednesday that investigations into the murder probe of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh found no evidence linking Malaysian rapper Namewee to her death, and he would be released on police bail on Thursday.\nAttorney General Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed it with This Week in Asia, saying that there was no lead to show that Namewee was involved in causing Hsieh’s death in Kuala Lumpur.\n“The investigation is still ongoing, instructions for further investigations have been issued, and if we find new leads, we will take action,” he said.\nNamewee, who was at the centre of investigations into Hsieh’s death, has been in police custody for nine days in connection with the probe.\nThe 42-year-old rapper was first remanded on November 6, with the original six-day remand order extended until November 13.\nHe voluntarily surrendered in the wee hours of November 5. In a video shared on his social media, he vowed outside a police station to cooperate in the investigations.\n“I will not run away. I voluntarily reported to the authorities for the previous seven arrest warrants. I have never run away.”\n\nHsieh’s death has gripped Malaysia following the discovery of her body in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur shared with Namewee on October 22.\nThe 31-year-old Taiwanese rose to internet stardom on TikTok and OnlyFans, with fans drawn to her provocatively dressed comedic content. She arrived in Malaysia on October 20 to reportedly work on a video collaboration with Namewee.\nOver the years, Namewee has had run-ins with local police for his controversial videos.\nNamewee was initially arrested for drug use and possession after several pills were seized by police during his arrest. He tested positive for drugs, including Ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, and has denied any links to Hsieh’s death or taking drugs.\nPolice have confirmed that Hsieh’s remains are still in Malaysia. Her family members have appointed a lawyer to handle investigations in Malaysia as they are too sick to travel, according to her publicist.\nNamewee rose to fame in 2007 after posting his music videos on social media, garnering millions of followers over the years.\n\nHe has acted in films including Friend Zone and Nasi Lemak 1.0, and received a writer-director credit for the banned 2020 film Babi.\nIn 2021, the Johor-born rapper released “Fragile”, a song poking fun at Chinese nationalists. The song went viral among Mandarin-speaking audiences but was banned within days by Chinese authorities, leading to his ban in China.\n