Iconic Penang heritage zone marred by ugly graffiti

Drawings with grotesque lettering popping up next to culturally significant street murals

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PENANG - The heritage enclave in George Town, Penang, is known as a place for beautiful art. Now, there are ugly warts.

The zone is under attack by graffiti artists, who have spray-painted drawings of rotting molars, dog heads with tongues sticking out and grotesque lettering that is difficult to read.

The garish graffiti has been spray-painted next to Penang island's culturally significant murals within the Unesco heritage enclave.

The local authorities are asking building owners to pay for the cost of erasing the graffiti.

"This will be a never-ending story," said Mr Mano Cheang, who owns a heritage shophouse in the heart of George Town.

"We just painted the wall and someone sprayed it with a design. Then Penang Island City Council (MBPP) sent us a notice ordering us to repaint the wall."