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Malaysian rapper Namewee will remain in custody on Monday after a court extended his remand, his lawyer told This Week in Asia, as police continue a murder investigation into the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh. Namewee, 42, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, surrendered to the Kuala Lumpur police on Wednesday in connection with the October 22 death of Hsieh, who was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a high-end hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The rapper and actor, who has millions of social media followers, was remanded in custody for an initial six-day period which was due to expire on Monday. But he will remain in detention at the Dang Wangi Police Station, pending details from the magistrate for the extension, according to his lawyer, Joshua Tay. “The investigating officer did not tell me for how long,” Tay told This Week in Asia. Namewee has vowed to cooperate with the murder investigation and has not been charged in connection with the social media star’s death. The death of the 31-year-old, who was launched to internet stardom over TikTok and OnlyFans, has gripped Malaysia. Hsieh, a popular influencer known for her provocatively dressed comedic content, was found dead in a hotel room shared with Namewee. She had arrived in Malaysia two days earlier to reportedly work on a video collaboration with Namewee, 42, who has a reputation for his controversial work with run-ins with authorities from Malaysia to China over his lyrics. He was initially arrested over drug use and possession after several pills were seized by police during his arrest. The rapper also tested positive for drugs, including Ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis. He has denied any role in Hsieh’s death or taking drugs. He was released on bail on October 24 but was rearrested on November 5 after police reclassified Hsieh’s case from sudden death to murder. Police have not linked Namewee specifically to her death and have remained tight-lipped about the details of the investigation, leading to speculation to flourish over the nature of the relationship between the Malaysian and the Taiwanese social media star. Hsieh’s family were yet to travel to Malaysia and were still awaiting details of the autopsy into her death, her publicist told This Week in Asia, urging authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. Describing Hsieh, a former nurse, as “gentle yet strong”, her publicist who wants to be known only by his first name, Chris, said her death had left a hole in her family and the industry.
