VMY2020 logo not copied, says tourism minister

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched the Visit Truly Asia Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020) logo at KLIA yesterday. On the right is Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Allegations that the Visit Truly Asia Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020) logo was copied from other logos and that there is a grammatical error in the slogan are baseless, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi said.

Describing it as a non-issue, Mohamaddin said the ministry would maintain the logo in all its VMY2020 promotional campaigns.

“Those who understand English will get what the slogan means. On the logo being copied, the designer is a first-class degree holder and has also received a graphic design award. There is no copy and paste issue.

“I respect everyone’s opinion but there’s no reason for us not to maintain this logo. The allegations are baseless and uncalled for,” he said after opening the Leonardo Opera Omnia exhibition at the National Art Gallery here today.

The VMY2020 logo unveiled yesterday was alleged to have not only been copied and modified from one of Shutterstock’s graphic designs but also had a grammatical error in its slogan. The allegations went viral on social media today.

On the Leonardo Opera Omnia exhibition, which showcases the high-definition digital reproduction of the iconic works of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, Mohamaddin said it was hoped the staging of such displays would strengthen the ties between Italy and Malaysia through culture and paintings.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi and Italian Embassy counselor Silvia Marrara look at a reproduction of the Mona Lisa at the Leonardo Opera Omnia exhibition. (Bernama pic)

“I hope that Malaysia and Italy can embark on more cultural and diplomacy exchanges to strengthen the ties between our two countries,” he said,

Silvia Marrara, the Italian Embassy counselor in Kuala Lumpur, said the project is one of her country’s cultural diplomacy activities in narrowing the distance between Italy and Malaysia as well as facilitating the knowledge and understanding of Italian arts and science.

“For the ones who cannot travel around the world to see the original pieces scattered in various museums or churches, Italy wants to give everybody the chance to experience them here,” she said.

The month-long exhibition will showcase 17 of da Vinci’s masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Madona Benois and Cecilia Gallerani.

Admission to the exhibition is free. - FMT