20-05-2025
Dapsy Sarawak takes SUPP Youth chief to task for trivialising Affin Bank hornbill issue
Peter Hee
MIRI (May 19): Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak yesterday slammed Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Youth chief Kevin Lau for trivialising the Affin Bank Kenyalang Visa Debit Card hornbill issue.
Its chief Peter Hee said that by belittling the matter and calling it 'playing to the gallery' showed a fundamental lack of understanding what the hornbill means to Sarawakians.
'It is more than just a decorative motif—the state emblem holds deep cultural and historical significance for Sarawak especially among the Dayak communities, where it is revered as a sacred symbol.
'Generally, it represents the spirit of unity, diversity and pride that defines Sarawak's identity within the Malaysian federation,' he said in a statement yesterday.
He added: 'If we are to follow such flawed logic, does it mean we can replace the Malayan tiger in our national coat of arms with a Bengal tiger just because it is also a tiger? Clearly not. Symbols matter—they represent our values, heritage and collective memory.'
Affin Bank has recently come under fire for allegedly using an image of a Great Hornbill instead of the Rhinoceros Hornbill on its debit card.
Hee further said that Dapsy Sarawak does not object to Affin Bank's decision to move its regional headquarters to Sarawak, but that development and progress should not come at the expense of cultural respect and local identity. DAPSY hornbill Kevin Lau lead Peter Hee
