Gerakan has criticised the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) for being oversensitive about the mural that depicted a Lego woman carrying a Chanel bag about to fall victim to a robber.

NONEIn a media statement, party deputy president Cheah Soon Hai (left) said murals can be an excellent method to express a city's art and humanities, together with the people's thinking.

"Therefore, it is unnecessary for the city council to be over sensitive; instead more communication with the public should be established to explore an appropriate method to handle this incident to go in line with the First World mentality," he added.

Cheah also noted that Malaysia should transform and cannot afford to be stuck in the past.

"In order to be a real developed nation, a country must be ready to adopt a First World mentality and manner in handling problems," he said.

Similarly, Cheah said, the government must adopt a First World mentality in the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese tourist and the abduction of his wife in Sabah.

"The abduction of the female Taiwanese tourist has brought international attention; the local authorities should not only adopt a First World mentality to conduct a swift investigation but at the same time, offer its apology to the victim's family such as giving compensation to the family of the gunned down male tourist.

"We must not follow the bus hostage incident in the Philippines a few years back, where the government refused to apologise to the Hong Kong government, which is not right.

"If we can adopt a First World approach, this will not only restore Malaysia's image as a tourist destination but also increase confidence among foreign investors and tourists," Cheah added.