Malaysian rapper and filmmaker Namewee has been acquitted of drug possession charges in Malaysia after prosecutors decided not to continue pursuing the case. The 43-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, arrived at court in a wheelchair due to a leg injury sustained days earlier.
According to reports from Malaysian media outlets, the country’s Attorney General’s Chambers accepted representations submitted by his legal team, leading prosecutors to recommend that the charges be dropped. The court subsequently ruled in favour of acquittal after hearing that investigations had made little progress and drug tests had returned negative results.
The case had attracted significant attention across Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan due to Namewee’s celebrity status and the circumstances surrounding the investigation. Authorities previously alleged that 1.57g of methamphetamine had been found in his possession during an incident at a Kuala Lumpur hotel in October 2025.
The incident also became linked to the death of a Taiwanese influencer discovered at the same hotel, although Namewee was later cleared of involvement in the death investigation. Separate allegations relating to drug consumption also failed to hold after urine tests reportedly showed no traces of illegal substances in his system.
Court Drops Charges After Negative Drug Tests
During the latest hearing, prosecutors informed the court they no longer intended to proceed with the case. Reports indicated that the decision was influenced by the negative toxicology findings and the absence of substantial developments in the investigation.
Namewee had consistently maintained his innocence and previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. His acquittal effectively closes one of the more high-profile entertainment-related court cases in Malaysia over the past year.
The rapper is widely known throughout Southeast Asia for his outspoken music, controversial satire and social commentary. Over the years, he has frequently generated headlines for works touching on politics, race relations and cultural issues, making him one of the region’s most polarising entertainment figures.
News of his acquittal quickly spread across social media platforms, with supporters expressing relief while critics continued debating the controversy online. Searches related to celebrity legal cases, entertainment news and digital media controversies have also remained highly active following the ruling, reflecting strong public interest in the case.
Namewee Jokes About Wheelchair Appearance Outside Court
Beyond the court decision itself, many online users also focused on Namewee’s appearance in a wheelchair while entering the courthouse.
In a social media post published after the hearing, he explained that he had injured his leg several days earlier. He joked that he initially worried the public might accuse him of attempting to gain sympathy by arriving in a wheelchair.
According to his post, he even tried practising different ways of walking to hide the injury but eventually concluded that limping appeared more theatrical than simply remaining seated.
Upon arriving at court and seeing large numbers of reporters gathered outside, Namewee reportedly joked that criticism would come regardless of whether he stood or sat.
“Since I’ll get flak either way, I’d rather get flak while seated,” he quipped online.
The acquittal marks another major chapter in the long-running public career of Namewee, whose projects and public statements continue to generate strong reactions across Asia’s entertainment industry.