#SHOWBIZ: Kenny Bee, Eric Tsang distance themselves from Namewee after controversial photo

New Straits Times

2 days ago

HONG KONG: Veteran Cantopop singer Kenny Bee and actor Eric Tsang have distanced themselves from controversial Malaysian singer-actor Namewee after a group photo they took together drew criticism from netizens.
The Straits Times of Singapore reported yesterday that Bee and Tsang, both 72, were recently in Malaysia to perform as part of the Wow! Super! Happy 30 Years concert at Resorts World Genting on July 19.
Namewee, 42, took a photo with the pair before the show and subsequently posted it on social media on July 19, with the caption: "Wishing you a successful performance tonight."
The image of the trio together quickly went viral on social media, with numerous netizens criticising Bee and Tsang for their association with Namewee, whose full name is Wee Meng Chee.
The hip-hop artiste has been blacklisted in China since the release of his satirical single 'Fragile' in 2021. The track was widely seen as containing sharp criticisms and veiled references to Chinese President Xi Jinping and various China-related issues, including Taiwan's political status and censorship in China.
Bee, a member of the pop group The Wynners, took to the Chinese social media platform Weibo on July 20, uploading a photo of himself accompanied by a statement.
"As a Chinese citizen, I have shown patriotism through concrete actions and firmly upheld the dignity of the country and national sentiment," he wrote in Chinese.
"Recently, during an event in Genting, Malaysia, I took a photo with a certain person without noticing that it caused a misunderstanding."
Bee clarified that it was purely a courtesy interaction on a public occasion, and he was unaware of Namewee's background or previous remarks and actions.
Tsang, the host of the Hong Kong variety series Super Trio, posted a similar statement on Weibo on July 21, adding: "Once again, I express my deepest apologies to everyone."
In a now-deleted statement on Facebook, Namewee wrote in Chinese: "In order not to affect the peace and stability of the 'motherland' as well as the safety of our comrades in Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area, we have removed the previous post and photos."
He also shared his new song, 'Letter Of Apology (2025)', on Facebook on July 21, quoting the lyrics: "And now I have decided to admit my mistake. This was just a small storm. I lowered my head and bravely showed my softer side. And criticised my brainless self."