Singers want to say sorry

Taiwan trio admits there were mistakes in Namewee video

TAIWANESE hiphop group Jiu Yi Yi (Nine One One) is ready to apologise over the controversial music video Oh My God! that allegedly triggered the religious sensitivities of Malaysians, Sinar Harian reported.

The group had collaborated with controversial rapper Namewee for the music video.

In an interview with Taiwanese media, a member of the hiphop trio, Choon Fong, said their intention in the music video was to unite races through religion.

“However, we admit that there were mistakes in the music video. It was too late to correct it after it was released to the public.

“We admit this mistake and we want to apologise to Malaysian citizens,” he said.

Jiu Yi Yi had earlier expressed its shock over Namewee’s arrest on Aug 21 and did not think it would be such a serious issue.

Choon Fong said they visited several places including a mosque in Penang to record the music video under the orders of the director.

Namewee, 33, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was arrested when he touched down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

He was remanded for four days from Aug 22 to facilitate investigations over the music that was filmed in various houses of worship in Penang, including a mosque.

The fourminute clip starts with the azan (the Muslim call for prayer), a church choir singing and the ringing of Buddhist meditation gongs, as well as Hindu temple bells.

A total of 20 NGOs lodged police reports in the state against Namewee, alleging that the video had insulted Islam.

Namewee was released on police bail on Aug 25 after the magistrate’s court in George Town rejected the remand extension application.

> Stagethree cancer patient Zaki Mohd Yamani, 27, is attempting to hitchhike across Peninsular Malaysia with only RM13 in his pocket, Harian Metro reported.

Zaki, who suffers from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is on a mission to raise awareness on cancer and inspire patients so that they do not give up during their journey to combat the disease.

“I only brought my wallet with RM13, mykad, driving licence and a bag of clothes,” said Zaki.

He hopes to complete his journey by Sept 8.