Negarakuku rapper apologises

Negarakuku rapper apologises
R. Manirajan
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 14, 2007): The composer of the Negarakuku rap music video, Wee Meng Chee, 24, has made a public apology to the government and Malaysians who found it offensive.

The apology was conveyed by his father, Wee Ann Chee, at a meeting with MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek today.

Chua, who is also the health minister, announced the apology in a press conference after the meeting in the ministry, which lasted nearly an hour.

"I have spoken to Meng Chee personally through the phone and (have just met) his father. (Meng Chee) admits his mistake and said he did it in a very naive manner, as he loved music and did not have any intention to insult the Negaraku, Malaysia and Islam," Chua said.

He said he hoped the government and all Malaysians would accept the apology in good faith, as the composer "was just a young talented boy in music, and we should not pass any harsh judgment on him".

"The MCA has accepted the apology and I hope the government and all Malaysians will accept it, too.

"He has admitted his mistakes and has made an open apology. He used his creativeness in a wrong way.

"He is a very talented and creative person. He thought that he could be famous with his talent. But there is no short-cut to success and to be well-known."

Chua said no Malaysian, regardless of his or her race, should use the Negaraku to voice his or her frustration or for self-interest.

Meng Chee, a student doing mass communications in Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, uploaded his music video on YouTube last month.

The rap, which is interspersed with the national anthem, has been widely circulated and deemed by some to be insulting the Negaraku and Islam.

Wee had said the reaction was largely a result of the misunderstanding among the Malay community and the government.

Ann Chee, who was in the press conference, also apologised to the government and Malaysians.

The former singer and musician and a judge for singing competitions said he spoke to his son and admitted that what Meng Chee did was not right.

Chua said the MCA was intervening because as a Chinese-based political party, it has to help resolve problems involving the community.

Asked if he and Meng Chee discussed some parts of the rap which reflect the sentiment that the government has not been fair to the Chinese community, he said it was not raised in the conversation.

However, he said the MCA has been able to help those in the Chinese community who have different views or dissatisfaction.

He added that it was one's personal view that the government has not been fair.

"If they are not happy over anything, they should not touch on senstitive issues and affect the racial harmony in the country. There are channels for us to voice our grouses and not through other ways."

He acknowledged that the issue has caused uneasiness among Malaysians but said this has not affected the MCA.

p/s: i think he should be detained under ISA because of his racist song. read all the comment in his blog:namewee blog