A street mural that was whitewashed by authorities because it highlighted Malaysia’s crime problem has gone viral, with versions popping up across the country and earning their creator comparisons to UK graffiti artist Banksy.
The original mural that appeared on a wall in the southern Malaysian city of Johor Baru last week had depicted a woman drawn in the style of a Lego toy walking towards a street corner, where a black-clad, knife-wielding Lego robber waited to pounce.
The mural, by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, was intended as a commentary on the city’s reputation for crime and drew on the image of a Legoland theme park which opened nearby last year.
Angry city officials quickly painted over it, but the image has tapped into public concern over crime.
Spread the word! Don’t let these silly officials hide the problem. We need a safer Malaysia
Drawings by other artists as well as paper cut-outs featuring the figures have appeared at sites in Johor Baru, the capital Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere, with social media sites filling with photos of the copycat renderings.