Controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee or Wee Meng Chee has clarified his death with a photo of him holding a guitar in front of his “wake” posted on Facebook.

It turned out to be a publicity gimmick by Wee to stress the importance of life planning on April Fool’s day.

Explaining his reason to have the wake on April Fool’s day, Wee said the Chinese observe tomb-sweeping day  or Qing Ming festival on 4 April and he wishes to convey the message of facing death with courage and plan one’s life well to reduce the burden of their loved ones.

Wee shared in his post of the one-day experience where he thanked those who cared for him and pointed out those who rubbed salt in the wound.

“I am fortunate to witness my funeral. This leads me to have a profound understanding of life,’’ he wrote.

Wee also said he planned to produce a documentary for the farewell ceremony to convey the message of life planning.

He accused some of the media for irresponsible news reporting, claiming that the media created and spread fake news.

Expressing his disappointment with the media, Wee said he had not involved in improper acts and refused to response to fake news and comments.

Many negative news originated from the irresponsible reporting by the media, he said.

To his fans who were disappointed with him for putting up a fake death, Wee said those are not genuine fans and he referred them as fake fans.

“A true fan will definitely understand the significance of this episode and will be able to understand the campaign organised earlier, which are even more extraordinary.

“These are stuff that Wee will do, no surprise,’’ he wrote.

Wee, 40,  uploaded on social media a photo of him on social media with the phrase 1983-2024 after midnight on 1 April, followed by an “obituary” and announcement of a “wake” and a “farewell ceremony” at Nirwana Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

His parents were taken to the hall by staff of Nirvana Centre where they spoke during the farewell ceremony, without Wee.

The media was present and unable to verify the purported death while news of his passing went viral.

On 2 April, Wee posted a photo of him with a guitar at his “wake”.

In the post, he said to look out for his new work and music video set to be released on April 4, 2024 at 4.44pm or as he surmised, 444444