‘Jerebu’ Mural Erased After 3 Days But Remains As Symbolic As Ever
Even with the cover-up paint job, a faint outline of the words could still be seen as if the haze truly obscured everyone’s vision.
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If the city sky has looked or smelled funny to you for the past few months, you’re not imagining things. The haze is indeed here and it felt like it has never left.
On 4 September, satirical artist Fahmi Reza painted a cautionary mural, “Caution: Jerebu (haze) Is Coming Back” on the side of the Wisma Megah building in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
According to Malay Mail, the mural is directed at Malaysian-owned companies involved with open burning which was behind the regional haze in previous years.
The haze will make a comeback if we don’t stop these Malaysian-owned companies who are responsible for the forest fires in Indonesia.
Satirical artist Fahmi Reza
Fahmi design apa hari ini? #streetart #jerebu pic.twitter.com/A55vWFUlFJ
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 4, 2022
However, the mural was vandalised in less than 24 hours by allegedly irresponsible individuals.
Someone painted over the leg of the ‘R’ on the ‘Jerebu’ word with yellow spray paint.
Belum sampai 24 jam dah ada manusia yang paint over kaki huruf "R" perkataan JEREBU dengan cat atau spray paint warna kuning. Pantas betul mereka buat kerja! Betul-betul gigih 😂 pic.twitter.com/mQrMf1wAWR
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 5, 2022
Fahmi managed to repair the mural back to its original state but it didn’t last long.
After only three days, the mural was completely painted over. Despite this, the faint outline of the mural could still be seen from an angle so all isn’t lost!
Mural "Caution: Jerebu Is Coming Back" dipadam selepas bertahan selama 3 hari 😁 #jerebu pic.twitter.com/JtWIBvJLqF
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 8, 2022
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 8, 2022
Netizens said the cover-up paint job ended up being kind of symbolic because the letters could still be seen. It was as if the haze truly covered up the words against the wall.
Others joked that Fahmi was given a blank canvas for his next great idea. A netizen also suggested Fahmi use glow-in-the-dark spray paint next time.
Since the public mural was covered up quickly, a netizen suggested a novel idea to paint over potholes so that the authorities would fix them as fast as they could.
However, some voiced their worries that a mural was erased, citing it as a cowardly and petty act.
dah jadi art berat pulak tengok tulisan sebalik cat kelabu tu. betul2 jerebu kannn ????
— tashabar khan (@pewnardbutter) September 8, 2022
Still can see the writing…. actually kinda "symbolic" 👍👍👍
— Norhisyam Hasim (@frankrxII) September 8, 2022
A blank grey canvas for your next idea ! pic.twitter.com/j31zefdoTI
— islander (@domesticgod8) September 8, 2022
Bang, kalau ada jenis spray ya siang dia tak nampak tapi malam glow, spray je.
— Bianglala 🇲🇾 (@ITS_BeanAWhile) September 8, 2022
Interesting. Maybe if you paint on jalan rosak diorang baiki kot cuba try
— I'll see you in 40 (ukulele part) (@naurwahhh) September 8, 2022
its terrible and worrying to see a mural reminding of capitalistic repercussions being erased… its no surprise that people are money-driven but to take down a reminder of the annual haze is just, petty, cowardly and fascist
— Alam! (@alamthemenace) September 8, 2022
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