Latest news with #Kenyalang
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hornbill design on Affin Bank card not an issue, says Abdul Karim
Affin Bank has clarified that the Kenyalang debit card design was inspired by the Sarawak state crest and state flag. KUCHING: The hornbill design on Affin Bank's Kenyalang debit card for Sarawakians should not have become an issue, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the bank had good intentions in displaying a hornbill on the card, regardless of the species depicted. "I think what Affin has done is something good. Why must you narrow it down to this hornbill or that hornbill? "This is making a mountain out of a molehill," he said after the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday (May 19). The card's design was criticised by DAP's Pending assemblyman Violet Yong last week, who claimed it did not depict the rhinoceros hornbill, Sarawak's state bird. Instead, she said it showed a great hornbill, which is not found in Sarawak. However, Abdul Karim said there was no need to call attention to the hornbill species as the bird generally represents Sarawak. "The bird on the card is a hornbill, so what is the issue? Personally, I see no need to change the design," he said. Earlier on Monday, Affin clarified that the Sarawak state crest - which features a hornbill and the state flag - inspired the Kenyalang debit card design. "The design featured is a symbolic creation, thoughtfully blending elements of the state crest as a tribute to Sarawak's rich cultural legacy," it said in a statement. The bank also thanked the public for their support and interest in the Kenyalang card. "Our priority is to ensure that our creativity and designs genuinely reflect what matters to the community we serve. Your feedback guides us and we remain committed to celebrating Sarawak with authenticity, pride, and respect," it added. The card was introduced last month as part of Affin's Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians. The Sarawak government currently holds a 31.25% stake in the bank following its acquisition of shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) and Boustead Holdings Berhad last year.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Affin Bank faces flak over ‘wrong hornbill' on debit card
Violet Yong of Sarawak DAP pointing out the difference between the two species of hornbill birds. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Affin Bank has been urged by a Sarawak assemblyman to apologise for depicting the wrong species of hornbill on a debit card exclusive to Sarawakians. Pending assemblyman Violet Yong said the bird depicted on the 'Kenyalang savings account' card was the great hornbill, found in mainland Asia, which is not native to Sarawak. The state bird of Sarawak, the burung kenyalang, is the rhinoceros hornbill, found in Southeast Asia and Borneo. The rhinoceros hornbill is also depicted on the RM5 note. Violet Yong. 'How can Affin Bank use a wrong identity to represent Sarawak? Sarawak's hornbill has a black neck, while the one on the card has a white neck, confirming it is the wrong species,' she said, according to The Borneo Post. Yong, who is Sarawak DAP organising secretary, said Affin Bank should not have made such a blunder when the Sarawak government became its majority shareholder recently. Yong also questioned why none of the leaders of ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak had noticed the gaffe. She urged the bank to recall the cards and replace them with ones that depict the correct species of hornbill. Affin Bank's Kenyalang savings account card. Affin Bank introduced the Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians last month. Account holders were given a special debit card bearing the hornbill graphic. The Sarawak government has a 31.25% stake in the bank, after acquiring additional shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board and Boustead Holdings Bhd last year.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
