PURSAT: Photos of a statue of the Buddha in Pursat province have been making the rounds on social media this week after critics say the statue’s face misrepresents the Buddha’s original form.

Built in 2009 at the Wat Veal in Pursat, the Buddha has already been blessed and officially inaugurated. However, in recent days there has been a flurry of criticism and memes of the Buddha statue, which many say does not look like a Buddha due to the unusual shape and proportions of the face.

Pursat Provincial Director of Cult and Religion, Em Sothea, confirmed to EAC News that in 2009, the pagoda's head monk initiated the construction of a statue of the Buddha according to the principle of Buddhist generosity. When he left his position soon after, he had little knowledge of the details of the sculpture and how it differed from traditional depictions of the Buddha.

According to the director, the Buddha’s image will be updated appropriately. "The department is waiting for the guidance from the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Culture,” he said. “The restoration will be inspected and discussed with professionals in the provincial hall. We will not leave up the unattractive image.”