Affin Bank's hornbill blunder a serious misrepresentation of Sarawak's identity, says Pending rep
KUCHING (May 21): Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong insisted she was not making a mountain out of a molehill over Affin Bank's depiction of the wrong hornbill on its Kenyalang Card, calling it a serious misrepresentation of Sarawak's identity.
Speaking during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, she criticised the bank for featuring the Great Hornbill instead of the Rhinoceros Hornbill – Sarawak's official state bird – on a card launched by the Premier and marketed exclusively for Sarawakians.
'This is not a trivial issue – it distorts Sarawak's heritage and is an insult to our people,' she said.
Yong pointed out that the Great Hornbill is not native to Sarawak and cited local zoologist Jason Teo, who confirmed the bird depicted is indeed the wrong species.
She further revealed that the image used was not custom-designed, but lifted from a stock photo website without any Sarawakian input or cultural consideration.
'Affin Bank claiming it as a 'creative tribute' is misleading and disrespectful,' she said.
Adding on, Yong criticised the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders for staying silent, saying their lack of response reflects a disconnect from Sarawakian values.
She also took aim at Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng for making personal attacks rather than addressing the core issue.
In view of this, she urged the Sarawak government to use its 31.25 per cent stake in Affin Bank to withdraw the current card and redesign it with the correct hornbill.
'They have made profits, so don't tell us there is no budget to fix this,' she said.
Having said that, Yong expressed sympathy for the Sarawak Tourism Board, saying the misstep undermines years of work to promote Sarawak's identity.
She also criticised Tourism Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim for dismissing the matter, calling his remarks 'damaging and tone-deaf'.
'I wouldn't have raised this issue if the card hadn't been marketed as a symbol of Sarawak pride – but it was,' she said, warning that leaving the error uncorrected could confuse future generations about the state's iconic bird.
Yong concluded by calling for immediate correction and a formal apology, adding that the dignity of Sarawak's identity must be upheld without compromise. Afffin Bank DUN hornbill kenyalang violet yong
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