KUCHING, Oct 3 2026: The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud has tendered the department's open apology to the Iban community over the naming of two cattle as "Keling" and "Kumang" by a breeder participating in the Agrofest in Bintulu.
In a statement posted on his Facebook today, he said DVSS accepts full responsibility for this issue.
"DVSS is committed to turning this incident into a valuable learning experience. We will tighten our screening processes and promotional guidelines moving forward to ensure that the cultural values, customs, and heritage of all ethnic groups in Sarawak are consistently preserved and respected.
"We sincerely hope that this apology will be accepted by the entire Iban community. We also appreciate the constructive feedback offered, which serves to safeguard the harmony and dignity of the ethnic identities in Sarawak," he said.
He acknowledged that using the terms to refer to livestock was inappropriate and should not have happened, and offered an open apology to the Iban community.
Dr Adrian said the mistake was not intended to ridicule or offend any party, but reflected shortcomings in the screening of promotional materials for local cultural sensitivities.
He said the department had engaged with livestock breeders to address the issue, stressing that it should be handled openly and through shared responsibility rather than by pointing fingers at any party.
“We take full responsibility for this issue. DVSS is committed to making this incident a valuable learning experience. We will tighten the screening process and promotional guidelines in the future to ensure that the cultural values, customs, and heritage of all races in Sarawak are preserved and respected,” he said.
Meanwhile, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) views with great seriousness and strongly objects to the use of the names "Kumang" and "Keling" for livestock in Agrofest promotional materials that have been circulated to the public.
Its secretary general Sanjan Daik said for the Iban community, Kumang and Keling are not merely ordinary names, as both hold a highly significant place in the heritage, legends, cultural values, and identity of the Iban people.
"Therefore, PBDS holds the view that the use of these names in this context should not be taken lightly or dismissed as a trivial matter.
"Was the cultural sensitivity of the Iban community taken into account?" he asked in a statement.
He said the party is not accusing any party of intending to insult or demean the Iban community.
"However, the questions that need to be answered are - Who proposed the names? Who selected them? Who approved their use? And was the cultural sensitivity of the Iban community considered before the names were used?" he asked.
He said PBDS calls upon the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services, especially its director Adrian Susin Ambud, to provide an official and open explanation regarding the selection process and the use of these names.
Sanjan said the party also calls upon the livestock breeders or the company mentioned in the materials to come forward and explain whether they were involved in the selection or assignment of these names.
He said PBDS demands an official explanation from the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services as to who proposed, selected, and approved the use of the names "Kumang" and "Keling", an explanation from the breeders/company, and were the parties concerned involved in the selection or assignment of these names and what were the considerations?
Sanjan said PBDS wants all parties involved must take responsibility rather than simply pointing fingers at others should errors occur during the process.
He said the party wants a public apology, if the explanation reveals that the use of the name was an oversight or demonstrated a lack of sensitivity toward Iban cultural sensibilities, to be issued to the Iban community.
Sanjan said PBDS requests a review of the name's usage and appropriate corrections to any related promotional materials.
Dayak Native Initiative (DANI) civil society has asked the relevant customary authorities to examine whether the incident constitutes a breach of adat and, if there are grounds to do so, determine the appropriate action through the proper channels.
"Any finding of a breach or customary sanction must be made by the authority with jurisdiction," it said.
It said it strongly condemns the use of the names Keling and Kumang for two cattle, as shown on information boards in images now circulating.
It said the act shows a lack of sensitivity toward Iban customs and heritage.
"Keling and Kumang are highly respected figures in Iban folklore and tradition. For many Iban people, these names carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. Using them for livestock at an exhibition has offended our community, whether it was done deliberately or through a lack of understanding," it said.
It called on the organisers of Sarawak Agrofest and those responsible for the display to explain publicly how these names were chosen and approved, saying that if the information boards are still on display, the names should be changed immediately. We also urge those involved to apologise publicly to the Iban community.
"We call on the organisers to consult Iban community leaders and the Council for Native Customs and Traditions so that this does not happen again. Names and symbols that hold deep meaning for a community should be carefully reviewed before they are used at public events," DANI said.
