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AI ad by local shoe brand sparks debate online
Published on: Thursday, March 05, 2026
Published on: Thu, Mar 05, 2026
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AI ad by local shoe brand sparks debate online
Some of the AI-generated images posted by the shoe brand.
A SELANGOR-BASED shoe brand has drawn criticism after sharing artificial intelligence (AI)-generated promotional images depicting Malaysian leaders wearing its products.

The brand, Makerz, posted a series of AI-created images showing former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Najib Razak alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

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The images on Facebook portrayed the leaders in casual street-style settings while wearing the company’s footwear.

One of the images showed Najib appearing to perform an “ollie”, a skateboard trick.

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In the caption, the company wrote: “Leaders can change, principles do not. Makerz stands for all.”

It added that politics is a different story, while the brand supports the country without choosing political “colours”.

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The post drew mixed reactions online, with some describing it as a bold marketing move while others warned that using AI-generated images of national leaders could lead to legal issues and be seen as disrespectful.
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