By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 9: Sarawak Tajai Culture and Arts Association (Persatuan Kebudayaan Dan Kesenian Tajai Sarawak) president Timothy Jagak says that Sarawak human rights activist Peter John Jaban is recognised as a panglima (warrior) by ‘Dewan Adat Dayak Kalimantan’, so as a sign of respect, the event organisers laid out a replica pua kumbu for his arrival.
Last month, there was a social media uproar when Peter John stepped on a pua kumbu while arriving at an event organised by Pencha Adat Sepring Sarawak and Kelab Kuntau Pencha Ajat Sepring Sarawak in Sibu.
Timothy emphasised that one should not step on a real pua kumbu because it is a ceremonial cloth that is used in healing rituals, sacred ceremonies, and rites of passage to mark one’s birth, death, or marriage.
“Pua kumbu replicas are now available everywhere, and they are made into shoes, shirts, hats, and other items. The one used by the event organisers is a replica, not an original pua kumbu. And you can tell by looking that it is a replica.
“As a result, netizens misinterpreted the situation. The organisers of the event have their own reasons for allowing Peter John to step on the pua kumbu. However, because Peter John is a panglima, they laid out a replica pua kumbu as a show of respect for his arrival.
“If a person who is not a panglima or of a respected status steps on the pua kumbu, they will faint or even pass away, as this signifies that they are not deserving of a respectful arrival,” he told DayakDaily when contacted today.
He further explained that it is also inappropriate to step on a replica pua kumbu for amusement when there are no sacred events taking place.
“By doing so, it means that the person is ridiculing the Iban people,” Timothy added.
He continued, “However, even though it is not the original pua kumbu, its name is still pua kumbu. As a result, in my opinion, the organisers should express regret to all netizens for this accidental incident.
“Given that the organisers have already released a video statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, it would be fitting for them to produce an apology video at this time. We hope that this issue will settle down and there won’t be any need to escalate it further.”
Meanwhile, Peter John issued a statement earlier today in which he stated that he had no intention of disrespecting the pua kumbu, a traditional woven cloth used by the Iban in sacred ceremonies and rites of passage.
In addition, the event organisers released a video statement on social media yesterday (May 8) in response to the criticism, explaining that they welcomed Peter John with the pua kumbu out of respect for his status as a panglima. — DayakDaily
