The good intention of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to showcase local culture at its Sibu Airport operation has backfired.

The use of the words ‘Keling’ and ‘Kumang’ to replace the ‘Gents’ and ‘Ladies’ on signboards on the toilet door at the departure hall of the Sibu Airport is not only inappropriate but also hurt the feelings of the Iban community.

Pictures of the signboards have gone viral in the Internet since yesterday, arousing the anger of various quarters, including the Sarawak Dayak Youth Organisation (Pebedas), Sibu branch which has lodged a police report at the Sibu Jaya police station at 1pm today.

Its chairperson Mathew Moilan said Keling and Kumang are a couple from heaven, namely Panggau Libau and Gelong, besides being among the seven major gods worshipped by the Ibans, who still practised their old beliefs.

He expressed sadness that the names of these two revered figures, which the Ibans regarded as holy, had become signboards on a toilet door.

VIRAL KAN JIKA ANDA IBANPIHAK LAPANGAN SIBU YANG DIKETUAI SEORANG MANAGER BERNAMA ZAINUDDIN DARI SEMENANJUNG TELAH...

Posted by Iban's Troll on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Miri Dayak Association president Serawa Budol said Keling was a brave and wise warrior while Kumang was not only beautiful but had many skills that are being emulated by Iban women until today.

She said Sibu MAHB should be aware of the matter and if it wished to promote the Iban language, it was sufficient to use the words ‘Lelaki’ and ‘Indu’.

Following the matter, Sibu MAHB manager Zainuddin Abu Nasir had openly apologised to the Iban community in the state.

“We in MAHB wishes to apologise for this mistake and does not have any intention to hurt the feelings of the Iban community because, prior to this, we thought the words can be used to depict men and women,” he told a media conference at the Sibu District Police headquarters.

He said Sibu MAHB regretted the incident and pledged not to repeat it at any of MAHB’s airports in the country, while its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur had also issued a statement on the matter.

- Bernama