Painting a wall of patriotism

Finishing touches: Wong painting the ‘Kesatuan Dalam Kepelbagaian’ wall mural in Slim River yesterday.

TANJUNG MALIM: A 22m-long interactive mural with Merdeka spirit has become the latest attraction in Slim River, adding more buzz to the Slim state seat by-election.

Adjacent to the Arked Berniaga building, the original orange wall is now added with artistic touches from several homegrown artists.

Featuring a huge butterfly in the shades of the Jalur Gemilang, balloons and faces of children, the mural was made interactive to attract visitors to pose with it.

Titled “Kesatuan Dalam Kepelbagaian” (Unity in Diversity), artist Mashitah Nur Sabaruddin said the mural was aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism while reminding visitors to enjoy the sights in Slim River.

“The faces of children show how diverse and together we are. The colours that were put on the wall are varied with the main focus on the four colours in our national flag.

“It’s nice that we can inspire unity and the love for art through this mural,” she said when met here.

Two other artists helped conceptualise the mural design and it was completed by several volunteers in a day yesterday.

The mural initiative was mooted by Perak Puteri Umno, whose chief Suzmaniza Sulaiman, said it could help bring the community and visitors closer together.

MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong was also present to lend a hand to the finishing touches of the mural.

Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was present to support Barisan Nasional candidate for the by-election, Mohd Zaidi Aziz, launched the wall mural by giving it a finishing touch and penning down his “H2O” moniker.

Yesterday was the first day of the two-week campaigning period and several Umno bigwigs made their presence felt.

Other than Hishammuddin, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had several programmes here throughout the day.

Mohd Zaidi, who has been meeting with voters at the wet market and during functions organised in both rural and town areas, said he was thrilled to have several senior party leaders supporting him on the first day of campaigning.

“Having them around simply gives me more motivation. Besides, other party leaders and their entire machinery have also given their support to me.

“I will not take this lightly and will do my best, especially during this recovery movement control order period to engage with the people in Slim,” he said.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi was campaigning modestly by visiting people at wet markets and house-to-house.

So far, Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik and former Kedah mentri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir were the bigwigs campaigning for the 38-year-old lawyer.

When met, Amir Khusyairi said he would try to meet as many people as possible.

“Since my wife works here and I have relatives staying in Slim, I feel responsible to serve here.

“What I can promise to the voters is that I will be seen on the ground even after the by-election. I will do my best and serve everyone well,” he said.