KOTA KINABALU: Indonesian, Joni Trismanto Abdullah, who was once detained in three countries for drawing government buildings, has praised Malaysia as one of the few places in the world where artists can paint freely and without fear.
“I was once detained in Egypt because I was drawing paintings of President Mubarak’s palace,” the professional architect who paints on the side, told Daily Express when met at the Eksplorasi Karya Agung’s “Exploring A Masterpiece” exhibition at the Sabah Art Gallery, here.
“The police asked me why I was there. I told them I am not a spy. I am just an architect who loves painting and is happy with beauty,” he said.
He said he had to wait for the Indonesian consulate to call and secure his release in Egypt. He was stopped again in Yangon, Myanmar, while painting a building in Kandawgyi, a part of the city.
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