KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — Rumours that artist Yuri Wong was arrested over a music video on the prime minister’s recent remark about kangkung (water spinach) were false, city police said today.
The claim first began circulating yesterday after a BBC webpage on the same topic was allegedly blocked to some Internet users here, leading to speculation of a crackdown on the subject.
“We are not involved in any investigation on the matter,” acting Kuala Lumpur CID chief Asst Comm Khairi Ahrasa was reported as saying by The Star on its website today.
Selangor police also confirmed Khairi’s denial, saying Wong was not under any investigation in the state.
The music video in question remixed Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s remark on kangkung made during a recent speech in Kemaman, Terengganu.
Najib had used the vegetable to help illustrate the economic model of supply-and-demand in recent price hikes, but his choice of the vegetable was later lampooned on the Internet.
Access to the BBC webpage was restored yesterday evening, following public complaints across social media.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) denied ordering a block on the BBC’s report, while Telekom Malaysia only said that it “complies” with national regulations after refusing to comment on the matter.
