Head of Islamic Da’wah Foundation Malaysia Yusri Mohamad at press conference during the Chinese New Year Open house organised by the Malaysian Chinese Muslims Association at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hal in Kuala Lumpur February 25, 2018. ― Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 ― Malaysians need not get so upset over controversial rapper Namewee’s latest music video featuring people wearing dog costumes in Putrajaya, the head of Islamic Da’wah Foundation Malaysia advised today.

Yusri Mohamad said oversensitivity coupled with a controversial past could have been the reason the Johor-born rapper was hauled up by the police over his music video titled Like A Dog, but he added that the public should let the law take its course.

“Sometimes the issues that he raises could be deemed sensitive. Especially since it involves someone who already has a track record. Maybe the music video he produced isn’t the worst, but his name has been tied to past videos,” he told reporters at a Chinese New Year Open house organised by Malaysian Chinese Muslims Association here.

Yusri explained that there could have been a misunderstanding regarding the music video produced by Namewee that was deemed to be racially and religiously insensitive as it showed people wearing dog costumes dancing suggestively in Putrajaya.

“But he has explained and I hope there will be more forums and channels to discuss these sort of issues. If it reaches the court, he will also have the space to explain himself and his reason.

“The public shouldn’t jump up [in anger] and we should let due process run its course. We should allow the rules to run this country and not take the law into our own hands. Everyone has a right to lodge a police report,” said Yusri.

The police arrested Namewee whose real name is Mee Weng Chee on Thursday following four police reports made against him over the controversial video.