Rapper Namewee not racist but "grossly misunderstood": Nazri

Published: Thursday December 9, 2010 MYT 6:47:00 PM
Updated: Thursday December 9, 2010 MYT 6:48:36 PM
Rapper Namewee not racist but "grossly misunderstood": Nazri
By YUEN MEIKENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial rapper Namewee is not a racist but a young man who has been "grossly misunderstood" and misrepresented by the media.

"He has done nothing wrong which may be considered an offence under any laws in this country," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told a press conference at his office in Parliament here Thursday.

The rapper, whose name is Wee Meng Chee, was also present.

Wee had previously made a video, using obscene language, criticising a headmistress in Kulaijaya who allegedly made racist remarks during a school assembly on Aug 12.

Although many were upset that no action was taken against Wee over the clip, Nazri said he had looked into the case and agreed with the Attorney-General's Chambers that Wee had not committed any chargeable offence.

"The only person who can take any action against him is the headmistress as she is the only aggrieved party," he said.

Nazri added that Wee was not even a politician and should not be "dragged into something that he didn't want to be involved in at the first place".

"He's only interested in music and how it can spread messages to his peers," Nazri said.

"He has explained to me what he has done and I think he has potential. If we can help him, he will be able to become an artiste one day," he added.

Nazri said Wee fully supported the 1Malaysia concept propagated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

On Wee wanting to meet Najib after being denied funds by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to make a 1Malaysia-themed movie, Nazri said he would inform the Prime Minister about the matter during the Cabinet meeting Friday.

Wee later read out a statement to the press, saying he was a patriotic Malaysian and expressing regret that the mainstream media had highlighted his controversial videos, instead of others which showed his love for the country.

"I admit that some of the videos are controversial but I have no intention of hurting anybody's feelings. If I have offended anybody, please accept my apology," he said, adding that he had no political agenda.

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