Vandals had defaced the mural, on a wall at Taman Cahaya Alam in Section U12 here, by daubing obscenities and graffiti in red paint.

Police are trying to identify two people, believed to be women, who might be involved. Shah Alam police chief Baharudin Mat Taib said that the two were seen on security camera footage from a nearby shop.

“We are locating these individuals. Give us time to investigate this incident and we hope no one will issue unnecessary statements,” he said.

The mural bears the portraits of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

It was painted by local artists Muhammad Suhaimi Ali, 27; Muhamad Firdaus Nordin, 26; and Abdul Hadi Ramli, 27.

Sultan Sharafuddin expressed his deep sorrow, regret and frustration with the act of vandalism because he greatly appreciated the artwork of local artists produced in Selangor.

He was also of the view that that it was not done by insane individuals or delinquent youths, but more of a politically motivated hatred. He hoped the perpetrators would be arrested and prosecuted.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari has also urged the authorities to take stern action. The Shah Alam City Council said it had taken immediate action to repaint the wall bearing the mural.

Police reports have been lodged by the council as well as Shah Alam Umno.

Fake or not? Check our quick fake news buster here.