The controversial artist, known for his political satire, turned himself in to Kuala Lumpur police after authorities reclassified the influencer’s death as murder.
Malaysian rapper and filmmaker Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, has been remanded in custody to assist police in the investigation into the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin. The 31-year-old, known online as the “nurse goddess,” was found dead in a Kuala Lumpur hotel bathtub on Oct 22 while reportedly working on a video project with the 42-year-old musician.
Turning Himself In
Namewee arrived at the Dang Wangi police station early Wednesday, Nov 5, accompanied by his lawyer Joshua Tay, after police reclassified Hsieh’s case from “sudden death” to murder. In a statement to his 3.6 million YouTube followers, the rapper said he intended to “fully cooperate” with the authorities.
“I will not run away. In the past when I was wanted, I always reported myself voluntarily and never fled,” he wrote on Instagram, posting a selfie outside the station.
Police confirmed that Namewee will remain in remand until Nov 10 as investigations continue.
The Death of Iris Hsieh
Hsieh, a popular Taiwanese model and content creator with more than 500,000 Instagram followers, was discovered unresponsive in a hotel bathroom on Oct 22. She had been staying in Malaysia to work with Namewee on a commercial video project.
According to police, the rapper called emergency services at around 12:30 p.m. after finding her body and performing CPR. He claimed in an earlier social media post that the ambulance took nearly an hour to arrive.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus confirmed that the case was reclassified as murder after new evidence emerged. “We are calling in the individual who was last with the victim to assist in the investigation,” he said, referring to Namewee.
Drug Charges Add Complexity
On the same day Hsieh’s body was found, police discovered nine blue pills suspected to be ecstasy in Namewee’s hotel room. Subsequent urine tests returned positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC.
Namewee was charged with drug possession and use on Oct 24, but pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. He denied consuming or owning any illegal substances, saying, “I did not take drugs, nor did I possess any. At most, I’ve just been drinking more lately.”
If convicted of drug possession, he faces up to five years in prison and nine strokes of the cane. Drug use alone carries up to two years in jail.
A Career Marked by Controversy
Known for his provocative music and outspoken political views, Namewee has built a reputation as one of Malaysia’s most controversial entertainers. He first gained notoriety in 2007 with his parody of the national anthem Negaraku, which sparked public outrage.
In 2016, he was detained for four days over his song Oh My God, accused of insulting Islam, and in 2021, his hit Fragile—a satirical track about Chinese nationalism—was banned in China. Despite frequent controversies, Namewee remains a cultural icon across Mandarin-speaking communities in Malaysia, Taiwan, and beyond.
Remembering Iris Hsieh
Hsieh, who graduated in nursing from the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, rose to fame in 2019 for her modeling work and social media content. Her followers admired her for combining glamour with a nursing background, earning her the nickname “nurse goddess.”
She had previously appeared in Namewee’s 2020 music video China Reggaeton and maintained a large fan base across Instagram and OnlyFans. Her family, unable to travel due to health issues, has appointed Malaysian legal representatives to follow up on the investigation.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say postmortem and toxicology reports are still pending, and the cause of Hsieh’s death remains under investigation. “This is a comprehensive probe involving hotel staff, security, and travel details,” said Police Chief Fadil Marsus.
Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward as the case continues to unfold.
The death of Iris Hsieh has cast a shadow over Malaysia’s entertainment scene, turning a collaboration between two online personalities into a murder investigation drawing global attention. For Malaysians and Taiwanese alike, the case underscores the intersection of fame, controversy, and accountability in the age of social media. The coming weeks will determine whether Namewee’s cooperation will help clarify the truth behind the tragedy.
Sources: CNA (2025), BBC (2025)
Keywords: Namewee Arrest, Iris Hsieh Death, Malaysian Rapper Case, Murder Probe, Drug Charges, Kuala Lumpur Investigation
