The Ipoh City Council (MBI) will not repaint a mural of an old man sipping coffee after claims that the man resembles the late Community Party of Malaya secretary-general Chin Peng.
Sinar Harian earlier quoted an unnamed MBI source as saying that the mural by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharavic will be "changed to another picture".
However, MBI corporate MBI corporate principal assistant director Normala Latiff told The Star that it will not be repainted.
She also said the face of the old man was inspired by a crane operator and not the CPM leader who died in exile.
In a report published today, Sinar Harian said complaints were made by locals on the mural in the city centre.
"While we have stated that this is not a mural of Chin Peng, we understand the sensitivity of the community.
"We will discuss with the painter and relevant parties to change it to another picture.
“I will refer the matter to the mayor first before I can give further feedback on the matter,” the MBI source is quoted as saying.
Perak Islamic NGO Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram) chief Yahanis Yahya said that the local council must give an explanation about the mural, while urging that all sensitivities be preserved, the daily reported.
This is also not the first time Zacharevic's artwork has courted controversy.
The Johor Baru City Council last year painted over his mural depicting a knife-wielding Lego figure about to pounce on a Lego woman after it was deemed to depict the city in bad light.
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