KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 ― Satellite television operator Astro and the comedy group who performed a show featuring crossdressing with the Iban traditional dress have been warned by the Dayak community against replicating the “mistake”.
Isa Lee, vice-chairman of the Persatuan Penggiat Seni dan Kebudayaan Dayak Kuching (PPSKDK), also said Astro, the network's comedy competition Maharaja Lawak Mega 2017's producer, and comedy group Zero should apologise to the Dayak community over the incident.
“Do not repeat the same mistakes in future. For instance, when a composer composes a song, he or she must consider the sensitivities surrounding those who would be listening to the song, particularly those from different culture and race,” he was quoted saying in local daily The Borneo Post's report yesterday.
“Please be reminded not to touch on the sensitivities of other races, but do your research first. Men wearing women’s cloth is not the norm in Malaysian society let alone men wearing the ‘Ngepan’ Iban. Wearing it has its own practice, code and ethics which are considered sacred by the Ibans,” he added.
Isa reportedly said that the Iban community was not objecting to others wearing their traditional costume, but would want them to wear the “Ngepan Iban” costume properly, further noting that the Iban community want to be given the same respect as they have accorded to other races and cultures.
In a separate report published yesterday, Sarawak Dayak Youth Limbang branch chair Hannah Maria Lamat similarly demanded an apology from the comedy group Zero to the Iban community for their insensitivity.
Noting that the Ngepan Iban or the Ngepan Indu as it is otherwise known is only worn by females, she said the Zero group could easily have avoided the incident by checking with Sarawak's community leaders and Iban community beforehand.
According to national news agency Bernama's report yesterday, three police reports have already been lodged over Zero's performance last Friday, which Dayaks said mocks the Iban culture and was offensive.
Bernama said one of the men in the Zero group had worn the female Iban costume of “Ngepan Indu”.
The Zero group which won in the 2014 edition of the comedy reality show are composed of three Sabahan brothers, namely Mohamad Syaiful Doli Sharif and his younger siblings Sharif Kadir and Sharid Kunal, Bernama said.
