The Malaysian Insight

CONTROVERSIAL rapper Namewee has denied insulting Islam in his latest music video, Like a Dog, which was released to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebration. 

The rapper said the music video only served entertainment purposes, and that he had no intention of disrespecting any religion or race. 

“Previously, I released a rooster-themed song for Chinese New Year and other songs that contained humorous elements to celebrate Chinese New Year. 

“It was never my intention to insult any religion or race,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook and YouTube accounts today in response to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s comments yesterday.

Zahid had yesterday said the provocative artiste had been lucky to escape punishment for his actions so far, but that he would get his comeuppance sooner or later.

“Do not blame the authorities if action is taken against him,” Zahid had said. 

In the video, Namewee sings that dogs in different countries have different barks, and that while American dogs go “woof woof” and Indonesian dogs go “bow wow”, Malaysian dogs go “mari mari wang wang (come come money money)”. 

He is accompanied by background dancers in dog masks who move provocatively and scatter money to the beat of the music.

Meanwhile, social media activist Kamarudin Ahmad urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to investigate the video clip, which he said showed dancers dressed provocatively near Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

In his defence, Namewee said the music video was shot by the side of a main road in Putrajaya. 

“The scene that was featured in the music video was shot by a main road in Putrajaya.

“The building in the background, which is within 1km, is the prime minister’s office,” he said, adding that no places of worship were featured in the video. 

He also said there were many productions, including international films, that featured Malaysia’s administrative capital.

Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, urged the media not to report such fake news as it could cause confusion among the public and to stop accusing him of insulting religions. 

“I want the media that report inaccurate news to explain the truth to the public. 

He also denied that he represented, was controlled by or is involved with any political party. 

“If there is any comment made by me that is political, it is just my own opinion as a Malaysian citizen.” – February 17, 2018.