By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 1: The backdrop at Kuching International Airport (KIA) featuring a traditional weaving motif will be reviewed after Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the design appeared to be AI-generated rather than an original Sarawak motif.
Abdul Karim said the motif shown in the backdrop allegedly did not appear to accurately reflect Sarawak’s cultural identity, following criticism from local artist Gerald Goh that the design looked more like Indonesian ‘ikat’ than Sarawak’s traditional ‘Pua Kumbu’.
“When I saw the photo which was shown on social media, it was indeed true.
“The motif shown is AI-generated, and not an original motif, and that does not really reflect Sarawak’s motif,” he told reporters during a press conference for the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2026 held at Baitulmakmur II building today.
He said he would first establish who was responsible for putting up the backdrop before determining the next course of action.
“I will look into that, but I will have to see the source, who put it there.
“But thank you for highlighting it, and I would agree that if it does not reflect our culture and heritage, it should be replaced with a proper one,” he added.
Abdul Karim also said the Ministry would look into the matter, noting that KIA is managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), although he was initially unsure which agency or organisation had put up the signage.
He stressed that it would not be appropriate to present a non-Sarawakian design as representing the State’s cultural heritage, particularly at an international gateway where visitors form their first impressions of Sarawak.
“If it does not reflect us, I think it is not proper for us to cheat those who are coming here. ‘This is our motif, our image’, when in fact it comes from other places or is not original,” he said.
The issue follows Goh’s comment on the KIA backdrop, which features a traditional motif alongside a hornbill and the “KCH” (Kuching) wording.
Goh had said the design appeared to comprise predominantly Indonesian ikat motifs, with only a small element resembling Sarawak’s traditional Pua Kumbu weaving, and questioned whether the backdrop accurately represented Sarawak’s cultural identity.
He also urged Malaysia Airports and relevant authorities to review the backdrop so that KIA presents a visual identity that visitors can immediately associate with Sarawak. — DayakDaiy
