Defaced murals: Artist says undeterred, vows 'bigger' artwork

Artist Muhammad Suhaimi Ali said he and his friends were undeterred after vandals defaced their highly-regarded murals of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and other leaders in Shah Alam with profanity.

Instead, the 27-year-old artist, also known as Miey Ali, said the act only served to spur their artistic spirit. If given the chance, they intend to return with even larger murals.

“It was heartbreaking when the result of our hard work was vandalised like this. Those who did this must remember that this will not break our spirit.

“In fact, it even fired up our spirit to keep painting, we will do (paint) bigger if given the chance,” he said to portal Malaysia Gazette yesterday.

Hailing from Terengganu, Suhaimi, along with Abdul Hadi Ramli, 27, and Muhamad Firdaus Nordin, 26, were the trio behind several large murals at Section U12 Shah Alam depicting the likeness of Sultan Abdullah and other national leaders, including Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

The lineup also included a mural of Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who has been widely lauded for his managing of the national health response to the Covid-19 pandemic and who is also a familiar face to most Malaysians due to the live telecast of his almost daily briefings on the coronavirus situation.

It took the three friends two weeks to complete the mural project. Since its completion earlier this month, the artworks went viral and have been visited by Noor Hisham, as well as by Sultan Abdullah and the royal family.

When the murals were first painted

Unfortunately, the murals were discovered vandalised yesterday, with profanity sprayed onto the painted faces in red paint.

Police are investigating the crime and are looking for two suspects who were captured by a nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

Sadly, as a result of the vandalism, the murals have been erased after officers from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) painted over them with white paint.

Speaking to Malaysia Gazette, Suhaimi said while he was saddened, he agreed with the move to paint over the defaced work.

“Even if there are differences in opinion, especially in terms of thinking or politics, we cannot make art, such as our murals, the victim.

“The damage could have been touched up, but I agree the wall be repainted by the MBSA with white paint.

“This is as the damage done really tarnished the reputation of the Agong and other leaders,” Suhaimi said. - Mkini