Abroad
Penang authorities order removal of 'unauthorised mural' after China tourist paints panda art on it
The owner has been instructed to erase the mural and repaint the wall.
November 13, 2025, 03:19 PM
Authorities have ordered an unauthorised mural at Chew Jetty in Penang to be removed.
This follows controversy where a tourist from China painted over the mural there with her own panda artwork.
The notice for the mural's removal was issued by the Heritage Conservation Department of the Penang Island City Council, under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976, The Star reported.
The building owner was instructed to erase the mural and repaint the wall.
The tourist is also believed to have painted similar panda figures at other locations in Penang, according to The Star.
Background
The mural, "Girl on Scooter", became the subject of headlines after a tourist from China was seen in a social media video painting over it with her own panda artwork on Oct. 15.
She also gave out little panda souvenirs to onlookers, saying that the gesture helped her complete the drawing successfully.
The video led to a wave of online backlash from Malaysians, many of whom called her out for vandalism and damaging a heritage site.
It was later revealed that the mural's original artist from Malaysia had in fact invited the tourist to add her artwork to his mural.
The artist clarified that he had come across the tourist's paintings on Xiaohongshu, and reached out to her for a collaboration.
He also urged the public not to criticise her, saying it was all a misunderstanding.
The street art in Penang became a significant attraction after the George Town Festival in 2012, which commissioned the murals and art installations.
Chew Jetty is part of a historic residential area within Penang city.
It became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.
Related
Top image via 狮狮 & Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang/Facebook
