Artists: Not nudes, just an unfinished mural

A GROUP of artists caused an uproar when they were accused of painting “naked” women on a wall in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, after photos of their artwork began circulating online, Sin Chew Daily reported.

They have since come forward to deny it and clarify the matter.

“The murals were supposed to be fully clothed and meant to be painted on later. We did not expect the truth to be twisted before the mural could be finished,” said Sasaran Arts Association president Ng Bee.

Ng added that the police and the city council had paid them a visit on Monday and were satisfied with their explanation.

The artists began work on the painting on April 13 and were supposed to complete it on April 24.

Due to the complaints online, dresses had been quickly painted on the three female figures during the weekend.

Ng told the daily that the mural was aimed at promoting recycling and caring for the environment.

> Educationist groups Dong Zong and Jiao Zong have urged the government to preserve Malaysia’s multi-stream education.

Sin Chew Daily reported that the groups, in a joint statement, expressed disappointment at the recent action of Subang Umno chief Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, who launched a petition and held a protest against the building of SJK (C) Too Joon Hing in Bandar Kinrara in Puchong, Selangor, arguing that the location was a Malay-majority area.

Dong Zong and Jiao Zong pointed out that a new Chinese vernacular school was being built because of overcrowding in other SJKCs nearby.

They added that Malaysia’s multi-stream education system was over 200 years old and had never been a hindrance to national unity.

“Moreover, over 20% of the students at Chinese vernacular schools are currently non-Chinese, which makes them multiracial institutions,” they said.

Dong Zong and Jiao Zong said the protest by Armand was detrimental to national unity.