TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Kinmen County Department of Cultural Affairs (金門縣文化局) confirmed on Wednesday (Nov. 5) that they replaced Malaysian singer Namewee (黃明志) as the headliner for the 2026 Kinmen New Year's Eve party. Authorities cited concerns over his alleged involvement in Iris Hsieh's murder and drug-related cases as the reason for this decision.
The Department of Cultural Affairs explained that the event's contractor initially planned for Namewee to headline the celebration. However, his recent involvement in Iris Hsieh's murder case prompted the contractor to propose a substitute artist of the same caliber. The county government agreed, prioritizing the event's image and public perception as the Malaysian judiciary handles the ongoing cases.
Cultural Affairs Director Chen Rong-chang (陳榮昌) emphasized the importance of maintaining the event's integrity. He stated that the county government has a responsibility to uphold the event's credibility if an artist becomes embroiled in controversy. The contractors will manage the replacement process, ensuring the celebration proceeds as planned and maintains its appeal and excitement.
Namewee previously collaborated with the Kinmen County Government Tourism Department in 2021, composing the tourism promotion song "The Wall" (牆外). The song sparked cross-strait discussions, bringing Kinmen into the spotlight. Despite this past success, his removal from the New Year's lineup is likely to result in a significant loss of performance fees, according to external estimates.