Affin Bank criticised for wrong hornbill species on Sarawak debit card
KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank has come under fire from Sarawak assemblywoman Violet Yong for depicting the wrong species of hornbill on a debit card designed exclusively for Sarawakians.
According to FMT, the Pending assemblywoman said the bird illustrated on the Kenyalang savings account card is the great hornbill – a species commonly found in mainland Asia – instead of the rhinoceros hornbill, Sarawak's official state bird.
"The bank should have been more careful and respectful in its representation.
"The rhinoceros hornbill, or burung kenyalang, is deeply significant to Sarawakians and even appears on our RM5 banknote," she said in a statement.
Yong also questioned why no leaders from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the state's ruling coalition, had noticed the oversight.
She called on Affin Bank to take responsibility by issuing an apology, recalling the cards, and reissuing them with the correct species depicted.
The Kenyalang savings account was introduced by Affin Bank last month, offering Sarawakians a special debit card featuring a hornbill motif as part of the product.
The Sarawak government currently holds a 31.25 per cent stake in the bank, following its acquisition of additional shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board and Boustead Holdings Bhd last year.
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