Erased JB mural was a 'hit' among locals

VIDEO | 4:37 mins

The reappearance of the copies of the controversial Johor Baru mural featuring a woman carrying a Chanel bag being awaited by a ready-to-strike robber in some parts of the city shows that the mural has struck a chord with local residents.

The Johor Baru City Council removed the original mural in Taman Molek on Wednesday on grounds that it was painted at an "inappropriate place" and in deference to the state government's claim that it could taint the city's image.

However a number of local residents interviewed by citizen journalist Fung Lee-Jean just before the street artwork was painted over by city council workers, begged to differ.

Many said that having such a painting in their neighbourhood was positive and a poignant reminder of the city's crime problems.

"(In) my view, it's good (as it creates) awareness among the people (about snatch theft)," said a local man. "I agree with this."

Meanwhile, a woman said, "(It's) creative for people to do this and nice. Everyone likes it."

A 20-year-old man who was met at the mural site, added, "This is very good in boosting tourism, just like (the mural in) Penang, and at the same time reflecting the serious crime problem in Johor Baru."

Another woman, in her 40s, said, "I think it's better to include a police officer on it (the mural) to show the residents' desperate hopes for a more effective police force in combatting crime."

Indeed, an anonymous painter had added a police officer in the controversial mural.

Aesthetic feature

A young woman said, "It's just an art. (The authorities) don't have to be so serious about it... the government white-washed it away, this is like self-cheating."

Another local also acknowledged the fact that the mural was beneficial to the community as it played a key role in attracting more people to gather in a usually quiet neighbourhood, such as Taman Molek.

The location became a hotspot among the locals, who have been gathering to take pictures with the mural. Some local residents even considered it an aesthetic feature of their neighbourhood.

The mural was the work of Lithuanian-born street artist Ernest Zacharevic.

"Art does not damage a city's image, crime does," said the artist in response to the state government's criticism of the mural.

Zacharevic drew his inspiration for his work from the city's alarming crime rate.

The artist, who rose to fame after similar street mural paintings in George Town, Penang, which have since become a major attraction among the locals and tourists alike, said it was up to the local community to decide the fate of the paintings.

"Johor Baru has a lot to offer. I think this town really needs more art, not only from me, but young emerging Malaysian artists as well," Zacharevic said as he expressed his intention to return to the city to do more murals.