COMMENT | In Sarawak, the hornbill isn’t just a bird - it’s an emblem of the soul.

It soars in their myths, crowns their state crest, and gives the land of the Dayaks their moniker: Bumi Kenyalang - Land of the Hornbills.

So when Affin Bank Berhad rolled out its new Kenyalang Card, claiming it was a tribute to Sarawak’s identity, one would assume they knew what bird they were featuring. They didn’t.

Instead of the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), which is the official state bird of Sarawak, the card showcases the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) - a non-native species.

That’s not just a design error. That’s a failure of cultural due diligence.