KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — A painter turned up at Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s private residence in Taman Duta this morning and gave media personnel some brief respite as he showcased his artistic talents.

Artist Tan Poh Chuan, 45, said he came to support his friend, a photographer attached to Oriental Daily News after coming to know of the continued media stakeouts at Najib’s home since last Tuesday.

“I can see for myself the media is working very hard as the public’s eyes and ears throughout this period…without them we would not know the latest developments.

“I figured that instead of sitting home and reading all these news on social media, I might as well do something about it...therefore this is my way of expressing my gratitude to the media personnel through my artistic talents,” he said.

He said this was his first time to Najib’s private residence after the media stakeout started, following a police raid related to an investigation into a multi-billion scandal involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) led by Federal Commercial Crime Investigations Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh.

Tan poses with his watercolour. — Picture by Hari Anggara
Tan poses with his watercolour. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Tan, who is also founder of the Poh Chuan Art Centre in Kepong, had earlier sketched a general view of Najib’s house from Jalan Langgak Duta’s intersection around 11.30am.

Seated under some shade and armed with a palette and a sketchpad, Tan painted away.

A painter with over 20 years of experience, Tan finished his watercolour in several minutes before a heavy downpour around 12.05pm.

Najib had earlier left his mansion around 9.50am for destination unknown but returned about an hour and half later around 11.25am.