The mural depicting Wee Aik Oh and Salih Ahmad, both of whom were among the first merchants at India Street.

KUCHING: An augmented reality mural in India Street here depicting two men – a Chinese and an Indian Muslim – officially made it into the Malaysia Book of Records yesterday as the largest AR mural in the country.

Measuring 9.42 metres high and 20.32 metres wide, the mural features the late Wee Aik Oh, a merchant who first came to India Street and opened a shop, Chop Chin Nam, in 1932 and the late Sayed Ahmad or fondly known as Salih Ahmad, who was a prominent social activist and businessman.

The late Wee is the grandfather of Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who was on hand to receive the Malaysia Book of Records certificate on behalf of India Street Pedestrian Mall Committee which he chairs.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who officiated at the event, said the mural documented the history of the local community and congratulated those behind the effort.

Wee, meanwhile, said the idea for the mural had received great support from Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), including its former Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, when it was first conceived.

He also praised the city’s young generation who explored the idea of augmented reality and shared their expertise and talent.

“Sarawak’s young talented people deserve to be given the chance to be creative,” he said.

Meanwhile, DBKU director Dr Morshidi Ahmad, who represented Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datu Junaidi Reduan at the event, described the mural as a landmark which both DBKU and Kuching South City Council hope will become one of the city’s many attractions.

“With tourists coming to Kuching, our business community living in India Street Mall would definitely benefit from the increased business,” he said.

The artist behind the mural was Leonard Siaw while the augmented reality was done by ArxMedia.

Wee (fourth right) receives the certificate from Malaysia Book of Records assistant manager (Digital Marketing and IT) Buvaneswaren Naidu (front, fifth left), witnessed by Dr Sim (fifth right) and others.