This was confirmed by Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Zainuddin Yaacob who reportedly said that the 34-year-old artiste will remain in police custody until Monday.

Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was arrested yesterday afternoon shortly after he went to the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman to give a statement over four police reports filed against him.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun issued a statement yesterday saying that Namewee had been arrested in relation to a music video that contained elements that “insulted religion” and could “harm national unity and racial harmony”.

The IGP added that the police were investigating him under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The police had also been reported as saying that they are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the music video.

The “Like a Dog” video features Namewee with dog-barking sounds from around the world, accompanied by dancers wearing masks resembling a dog’s head.

In the video, the Malaysian dogs sing “mari-mari, wang-wang” (“Come, come, money, money”) but in Mandarin, “wang” can mean prosperity or luck.

Defending himself against critics, Namewee had reportedly said the music video was made in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration of the Year of the Dog.

“It is just a form of entertainment and was not intended to insult any religion.”

He also said the allegations that the music video was filmed in front of a mosque were incorrect.

“The filming of this music video was made in an open space, away from any activities. It was done along the main road of Putrajaya and not near the mosque.

“The building in the rear, which is located approximately about one kilometre away is the Prime Minister’s office. Look properly,” he said.