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By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 31: Airline announcements are typically made in English, Bahasa Melayu, and Mandarin; however, has anyone ever heard an announcement made in Iban?
On one AirAsia flight, pilot Daryll Ambang Tanjong’s announcement in the Iban language drew immediate attention. A video of his announcement uploaded on his Instagram account @jungleboy_ambang three days ago and gained interest on Malaysian social media, particularly among Sarawakians and Sabahans.
“Selamat tengah ari ngagai bala penumpang AirAsia. Aku Daryll Ambang, First Officer kitak saritu sama mega enggau aku ba ditu, iya nya, Capt Adi. Aku deka ngenatai ka info mimit ngagai kita saritu. Kitai diatu benung terbai ba peninggi 20,000-23,000 kaki ari aras laut, enggau pengelaju lebih kurang 820km/jam. Kitai deka datai ba airport Bintulu jam 2:00pm tu legi. Gaya ari ba menua Bintulu direpot ka manah enggau pengangat 32 degree Celcius. Aku ngarika AirAsia, Captain Adi, deka ngenatai ka ucapan trima kasih nggai bala kita laban udah milih AirAsia. Kena aku ngabis ke jaku aku, aku deka madah ka selamat datai ke Bintulu. Ngagai bala kitak ke nyambut Ari Gawai… Aku deka merik Selamat Ari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Lantang Senang Nguan Menua. Sramat Ondu Gawea, and to all the Sabahans, Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan. Once again, have a nice day. Thank you,” Ambang said in the video that was posted on his Instagram @jungleboy_ambang.
Daryll who hails from Kuching, captioned the video: “As a Sarawak native, I am extremely honoured to have made a flight announcement in my mother tongue, Iban. It definitely wasn’t easy to muster the courage to do it in flight, but I did it anyway. Thank you @adi.marzriwan AKA @bangkept, for allowing me to do the honours. To those celebrating, Selamat Hari Gawai & Happy Kaamatan!”
Ambang’s video piqued the interest of many netizens including one who commented: “Proud Iban here. Selamat Ari Gawai.”
Another comment read: “Go ahead..so people of the world know about the Iban language…ooooooohaaaa.”
A netizen also commented that Ambang’s act in welcoming the passengers on board was heartwarming and that he did an excellent job. — DayakDaily
