THE Dayak Traditional Arts and Culture Club (Kemada) has lodged a report at Lanang police station in Sibu against Instagram celebrity Ryzal Duriankimchi (Ryzal Ibrahim) for ridiculing the traditional dress of Iban women.

The police report was lodged by the chairman of the club, Jackery Hillary Chukan, who was accompanied by five other members, all of whom wore traditional Iban warrior’s costumes, at midday today.

Jackery said the police report was lodged to ask for an investigation to be carried out against Ryzal, because he showed racial insensitivity in a video uploaded on his Instagram site.

“Such comments insult the traditional costumes of the Iban. We cannot accept the apology he uploaded on his social media,” he said.

The club is demanding a more full and frank apology from Ryzal.

In the video, Ryzal was seen joking with his wife, Maryam You Narae, who was wearing a traditional Iban dress.

This resulted in condemnation by social media users, who accused him of insensitivity and disrespecting the Iban community.

Meanwhile, in a joint media statement, the Sibu branches of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) and Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) also expressed their regrets at Ryzal’s action. SIDS is the women’s wing of the SDNU.

SDNU Sibu branch chairman Chambai Lindong, said Malaysia is a country rich in the diversity of the cultures of its people of various races and every traditional costume is the identity of each race.

“As such, every citizen in the country should not only mutually respect one another but should also respect their diverse cultures and traditions,” he said, adding that Ryzal should tender an open apology to the Iban community. – Bernama, May 27, 2021.