The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) has called on the Malaysian Armed Forces not to discriminate against Iban youths when they apply to join the service because of their body tattoos.

iban man with tattoos 240205 Sadia president Sidi Munan said in a statement today that the association has received many complaints from Iban youths whose applications to join the Army were turned down because of the tattoos on their bodies.

“The tattoo is part of our culture, and it should be seen as such and no one should be discriminated because of that,” he said.

Revive Border Scouts

Sidi was referring to the statement by the Region Two military commander Major-General Mazelan Kasap regarding the formation of two new border regiment companies to man the border posts along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border as reported in the local media.

He said the association welcomed the formation of such companies for better security at the border.

Sidi said what matters is their loyalty and bravery in the defence of their country and not the tattoos on their bodies.

“If we may add, in addition to the formation of the regiment companies, the government should also consider the revival of the concept of Border Scouts which have been proven to be effective instrument of security in the past and less expensive to maintain,” he said.