KLANG: A giant Chinese painting to usher in the Year of the Rooster, which features over a thousand roosters and hens flanking the Jalur Gemilang, has been recognised as the biggest of its kind.

Initiated by the Klang Hokkien Association and the Gan Association Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, the painting has won recognition in the Malaysian Book of Records (MBR) as “The Biggest Calligraphy Art of Roosters”.

Measuring 35m in length and 19.45m in width, the Malaysia Auspicious Rooster Calligraphy painting was completed in three hours by 100 calligraphy artists and enthusiasts from the Gan Association’s Modian Art and Culture centre yesterday.

Four Chinese characters – “da ma ji xiang” (auspicious Malaysia) – are painted above the national flag.

Present to witness the feat was Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon and local leaders.

MBR office manager Lee Pooi Leng was there to certify the feat and handed over the certificate to Klang Hokkien Association president Datuk Teh Kim Teh.

Teh said that the association made it a point to celebrate the festival by organising special activities like this one every year. Last year, the longest monkey painting was produced.

“Rooster is homophonous to opportunities in the Chinese language, and we hope that this special feat will bring in more good fortune and auspiciousness to the country’s economic and social development.”

The painting will become part of the collection at the art centre.

-The STAR-