Recently, a tourist from China sparked outrage among Malaysians after posting a video of herself drawing a panda on a famous mural in Penang.
The incident happened on 15 October, when a woman known as “Shi Shi” on Chinese social media added the panda to a popular street mural at Chew Jetty in George Town, Penang.
Shi Shi
“It was just a misunderstanding”
The act sparked backlash from many Malaysians, who accused her of defacing the famous “Girl on Scooter” mural without the original artist’s permission.
However, the mural’s owner, Chow Hua Hing, later spoke up, clarifying that he had actually invited the tourist to add the panda after seeing her artwork online, Sin Chew Daily reported.
“I liked her creative style and thought it’d be fun to collaborate. I even had dinner with her before she flew back to Chongqing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hua Hing’s sister admitted she hadn’t known the artist would be painting that day, but said the matter had been resolved peacefully.
Chow Hua Hing and his sister
Critics say official approval is still needed
Even so, the video is still making waves on social media, with users in both Malaysia and China debating whether artists should be allowed to make such “collaborations” on heritage sites, according to the South China Morning Post.
Critics pointed out that murals in George Town’s UNESCO-listed heritage zone are protected under strict preservation rules, meaning any changes, no matter how well-intentioned, still need official approval.
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