Vandalised mural serves as a lesson on how local artist should be treated

GIANT murals featuring the country’s leaders, namely, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, were drawn at Taman Cahaya Alam in Section U12, Shah Alam in honour of their leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The murals were painted by artists, Muhammad Suhaimi Ali, 27; Muhamad Firdaus Nordin, 26; and Abdul Hadi Ramli, 27.

On Monday (July 20), the murals were found sprayed with obscene words using red paint.

The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) acted immediately by repainting over the defaced murals.

Police are currently searching for two suspects, believed to be women who were detected via the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera recording of a nearby store. They would be investigated for committing mischief and provoking the peace through intentional insult under the Penal Code.

Why it matters?

Mural painter, Abdul Hadi, when interviewed by Bernama expressed his disappointment but ultimately called for the government’s support for fellow artists in creating more spaces for them to showcase their artwork.

Other than beautifying these spaces, the murals painted can boost the economy of the area, evidently by the swarm of visitors who initially came to see the giant murals after it went viral across social media platform.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong as well as Dr Noor Hisham had also visited the murals and expressed their admiration for them.

According to His Majesty, the efforts of the three young painters serve as a guide for the youth to better appreciate the leaders and the country as well as to make full use of their time wisely.

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has also described the acts of vandalism as “uncivilised”. He voiced out his frustration and said that he greatly appreciated the artwork of local artists produced in Selangor.

MBSA condemned the acts of vandalism and reiterated that the purpose of the mural was to serve as an appreciation for the role and contribution of all parties, particularly national leaders, who have worked hard and are committed in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), had recently stepped up in offering its venue to the three artists to repaint the mural.