By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Feb 21: A local influencer who made fun of Iban traditional attire (Ngepan Indu Iban) has been fined RM10,000, in default of six months’ imprisonment.
Nik Mohammad Ryzal Nik Ibrahim who is also known as ‘Durian Kimchi’ arrived at Miri Sessions Court today at 9am.
Miri Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz, meted out the fine on the 32-year-old influencer, who pleaded guilty to the charge this morning framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Nik Mohammad Ryzal was charged with making insensitive remarks on Iban traditional attire in a video which was posted by him, showing him cracking jokes with his wife, Maryam, on May 25, 2021 at about 3.30pm in the makeup room at the ASTRO office in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
It sparked an avalanche of comments from netizens, especially from the Iban community who blasted the Youtuber for being insensitive.
In the video clip, Nik Mohammad Ryzal had compared the traditional Iban beaded collar, known as marik empang, to a tablecloth and TV mat from the 1970’s and the Iban’s kain kebat or ceremonial skirt to unwashed rags.
A total of 27 police reports was lodged, conveying the dissatisfaction and frustration of the Iban people over the said comments.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fillanny Siji, while lawyer Firdaus Morshidi represented the accused. — DayakDaily
