By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, May 27: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has described the controversial video clip by a social media influencer on Facebook recently, as belittling and insulting to the Dayak especially the Iban, as it had mocked the traditional Iban attire (ngepan).
“He may have meant the video and demeaning comments as some sort of joke but Dayak Ibans ARE NOT laughing. Needless to say, the video and comments were made in bad taste,” disclosed PBDS vice-president Adman Jubang today in a statement.
“But Dayaks are civilised and do not act and do things which may caused disharmony in this country and hurt the feelings of other races, even though some Malayans say that we live on tree tops in the jungle,” he said.
Thus, he listed down three key messages for the influencer.
The first was that every community has its unique culture and artefacts which are not for other people to judge.
“This person has gone overboard in his comments on Iban costume. He have drawn the anger of the whole Iban community. Thus, PBDS won’t be surprised if there are police reports lodged against him,” Adman pointed out.
Secondly, he added, Iban traditional costumes are very intricate, unique and world renown. He invited the influencer other West Malaysians to come to Sarawak and meet up with members of the Iban community if they want to know more.
And last but not least, Adman said, he felt that perhaps the Dayak can further enlighten the influencer about the Iban culture and ways of life.
“If he is lucky, we may even invite him to stay a night at Iban longhouses,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
