The government has rejected controversial rapper-cum-filmmaker Namewee's application for RM2.5 million from its Creative Industries Fund, Information, Culture and Communications Minister Rais Yatim announced today.

namewee dialogue wtih cheah see kian 160910 02 The application was turned down because Namewee, whose real name is Wee Chee Meng ( left ), was involved in activities that went against Malaysian norms and values, Rais said.

"Namewee (and) Prodigee Media Sdn Bhd had applied (for the grant)... to produce a film under the 1Malaysia concept entitled Nasi Lemak 2.0.

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The application could not be considered as the film director, screenwriter and actor, Namewee, was involved in activities that go against the norms and values of Malaysian society," he said.

Rais said this in a written reply to a question raised by PKR-Batu MP Tian Chua in Parliament on Monday.

'Government prejudiced'

In an immediate response, Wee, who first gained notoriety with his controversial rendition of the national anthem Negara-ku in his rap song I Love My Country Negarakuku in 2007, claimed that the government was practising discrimination.

"I guess it is because of what I did. This is prejudice, meaning that it makes decisions without understanding me. I think the government should treat these things separately," he said when contacted.

"My script has been approved by Finas (the national film development body)... totally approved. This movie is aimed at promoting 1Malaysia, it is a positive movie."

Asked whether he would appeal, Wee said, "I will use all kinds of methods, find (ways) to realise my movie (but) I may not use the same method."

Wee had in December met with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz to complain about difficulties in obtaining a government grant for his 1Malaysia film.

He also faced difficulties in promoting his anti-racism song Nah! as a result of Malay-rights NGO Perkasa demonstrating against his promotional tour.

Additional reporting by Lee Weng Keat