Okay, let’s untangle this mess. Local rapper and filmmaker Namewee — real name Wee Meng Chee — turned up at a Johor police station to prove a point: he says he wasn’t hiding. He posted photos and an Instagram story showing himself outside the station. Then he doubled down in a follow-up post, saying he’d travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru (maybe went back home to visit his mum) as arranged and would cooperate fully with the investigation into Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh’s death.
So no, he says he didn’t run. Again and again, he insists he never ran. He even reminded people that in past cases, whenever warrants were issued, he voluntarily reported himself. Short version: he’s calling the “on the run” talk fake news.
What happened so far
- Iris Hsieh was found dead at a hotel in KL last month. Initially, police treated it as a sudden death (SDR).
- Later, the case was reclassified as a murder investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code — the one that carries the gravest penalties.
- Namewee was arrested at that same hotel on Oct 22 and charged with drug use and drug possession. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. The case is next listed for mention on Dec 18.
- Police reported that drug tests showed positive results for amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC. Authorities also seized nine pills believed to be ecstasy.
- After public attempts to locate him, an arrest warrant and a wider manhunt were reportedly issued when authorities couldn’t find him — a situation Namewee now says was based on misinformation.
Namewee’s response
He shared photos from outside the Johor station. He posted a caption saying he travelled there from KL as arranged. He reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate and said his goal is the same as everyone else’s: closure for the family and for the public. He also denied fleeing during this investigation and reminded followers of his past pattern — voluntarily turning up when required.
In another public statement, he denied ever taking illegal drugs and suggested he had been blackmailed by unnamed people. He did admit, poetically, that the worst thing he’d done was “drink too much.” Charming.
Police side
Kuala Lumpur police later clarified the case’s shift from sudden death to murder. The reclassification means the probe took a more serious turn after initial findings. Police handling the case also disclosed the drug test results and the seizure of pills when Namewee was arrested.
Why people are watching
This story mixes celebrity, a sudden death, criminal charges, and a viral social-media scramble. That’s a potent cocktail. People want answers. The influencer’s family wants closure. Netizens want to know who did what and why. The police want evidence and due process. And Namewee? He wants to clear his name or at least push back hard against claims that he ran.
My point of view
Here’s the blunt take: drama is not evidence. Public posts and mugshots fuel gossip, but they don’t replace a proper investigation. If Namewee truly walked into the station as he says, good. If not, let the records show otherwise. Either way, two things matter most: the evidence collected by police, and a fair court process.
Also — and this is crucial — social-media mobs are terrible judges. Viral outrage can ruin lives before a single witness is properly questioned. We should want the truth. Not just a headline. The family deserves that. So do the accused.
What to watch next
- The court mention on Dec 18. That will show how the charges proceed.
- Official police updates on the murder probe and any forensic results.
- Any new statements from Iris Hsieh’s family or their representatives.
- Whether additional arrests or charges follow as the investigation continues.
Bottom line
Namewee says he showed up. The police reclassified Iris Hsieh’s death as murder. Drug charges against Namewee remain part of the record. The real answers will come from the investigation and, if it reaches court, from the legal process. Until then, consume the headlines carefully. Rumors are fast. Truth is slower — and far more useful.
