Letter to the Editor
By Jason Teo
Let me begin by stating clearly that this article is not political. Just as face masks during the pandemic should have remained a matter of public health rather than politics, the issue surrounding the hornbill depicted on the AFFIN Kenyalang Visa Debit Card should also not be political. Biology is biology.
Next, I’d like to briefly share my background: I am a zoologist by profession, with a specialization in birds. For years, I’ve been advocating for greater awareness among Sarawakians about how to identify our State Emblem: the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros). Google “Jason Teo Hornbill” and you will find a few articles I’ve written in the past.
The co-author is a seasoned birdwatcher with 27 years of experience. He is deeply passionate about birds, has served for many years as a committee member of the Malaysian Nature Society (Perak branch), and has been actively involved in educating the public about Malaysia’s avian biodiversity.
The Big Question: Did Affin Bank Use the Wrong Hornbill?
The short answer is yes, they used the wrong hornbill. While the casque (the upper part of the beak) is long and curves upward, which matches the Rhinoceros Hornbill, other key features suggest that the bird illustrated on the Visa card is actually a Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) with a modified casque. I will elaborate more later in this article. That said, this is not a call to shame Affin Bank. Mistakes happen, and I believe this was an honest one. As Sarawakians, I believe we are patient and understanding people. Even in my early career, I’ve misidentified many birds. It’s part of the learning process.
Why Am I Writing This?
Not because I support any political party. My motivation is simple and sincere; I want more Sarawakians to be able to identify the Rhinoceros Hornbill, our Kenyalang. As evidence of this, again, Google “Jason Teo Hornbill”, you will find articles written by me years ago; well before this issue gained any political traction. However, in light of recent public defenses of the hornbill image on the AFFIN Kenyalang Visa Debit Card by prominent figures, I’ve been approached by many people asking me to confirm what our State Emblem truly looks like. That, honestly, has been disheartening for me. It feels like we’ve taken a few steps backward. Therefore, I felt compelled to write this article to help set the record straight.
How to Tell the Difference Between the Rhinoceros and Great Hornbill
While there are many ways to distinguish the two species, I’ll highlight five of the easiest ways to differentiate them:
1. Geographic Distribution – In Malaysia, Great Hornbills are not found in Sarawak nor Sabah. They occur only in Peninsular Malaysia. The Rhinoceros Hornbill, on the other hand, can be found in Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia.
2. Neck Color – The Great Hornbill has a pale yellowish-white neck, whereas the Rhinoceros Hornbill’s neck is entirely black.
3. The Wing – The wing of the Great Hornbill has two conspicuous white to yellow wing bars, while the Rhinoceros Hornbill, again, is entirely black.
4. Casque Shape – While both have casques, the Rhinoceros Hornbill’s casque extends more prominently out and upwards, while the Great Hornbill’s is a flat and set further back at the head.
5. Casque Color – The Great Hornbill’s casque is mostly yellow. In contrast, the Rhinoceros Hornbill’s casque has a balanced mix of red, yellow and orange.
Now, some might say, “But the hornbill’s casque in the AFFIN Kenyalang Visa Debit Card is long and curved upwards, isn’t that close enough to call it a Rhinoceros Hornbill?” Let me put it this way, does the image below depict a Rhinoceros Hornbill?
We cannot focus on just one feature and ignore the other features. That is not how taxonomy works.
If you are still in doubt they are two different hornbill species, I would encourage you to check two sources by Googling “Birdlife International Rhinoceros Hornbill” and “Birdlife International Great Hornbill”. For those who are unaware, Birdlife International is one of the most influential bird organisations in the world. These are very credible sources.
Addressing The “As Long As It Is a Hornbill” And “It Is Good Enough” Argument
Some people have argued that it doesn’t matter. As long as a hornbill was used, it should be acceptable. However, the designated state bird of Sarawak is specifically the Rhinoceros Hornbill, not just any hornbill. It’s also important to remember that the AFFIN Kenyalang Visa Debit Card was designed specifically for Sarawak, yet the species illustrated on the card (the Great Hornbill) does not exist in Sarawak.
Some would also add that the two hornbill species are quite related, so this is good enough. The Great Hornbill and the Rhinoceros Hornbill are placed in genus Buceros (collection of taxonomically closely related species), this is the same relationship between a Malayan Tiger and a Lion, which are both placed in genus Panthera. It will definitely be unacceptable if someone tries to use an image of a lion to represent the Malayan Tiger. If they argue that the common names given to them (Malayan Tiger and Lion) are so different, then perhaps we should look at the Leopard, another member of the genus Panthera, which is known as “Harimau Bintang” in Malay. Would people feel that it is justifiable to use the Leopard to represent the Malayan Tiger?
Addressing the “More Important Issues” Argument
Some have argued that this is not important and there are more pressing issues to focus on; such as poverty, infrastructure, education, etc. I would like to respectfully counter with two points:
1. It does matter – If it matters to you that the Malaysia and Sarawak flags are depicted accurately, then the same standard should apply to our Sarawak State Emblem. Accuracy in representing our identity matters.
2. This is not an and/or question – One does not come at the expense of the other. We can work on reducing poverty and promote better awareness of our State Emblem.
My Hopes Moving Forward
First, I hope we can steer this discussion away from politics and back to facts and education. Second, I hope Affin Bank will consider updating the illustration on their card. There’s absolutely no shame in making a correction, it’s how we learn. And finally, I hope that after reading this, you’ll feel more confident in recognizing the Rhinoceros Hornbill, and will share this knowledge with friends and family. Let’s move forward together, informed and united!
This is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.
— DayakDaily
