MIRI – Police in Miri have started a probe into a Facebook post that apparently mocked a traditional Iban attire, eliciting heavy criticism from Sarawakians.
Miri deputy police chief Mohd Sabri Zainol said they are looking for the person going by the identity of Ryzal Ibrahim@duriankimchi who allegedly posted the offensive video.
“Police have received numerous reports against this Facebook account holder.
“We are investigating the case under Section 504 of the Penal Code for inciting racial disorder,” he said in a statement.
Sabri warned the public to respect the sensitivities of all races and not to post offensive content that can cause racial uneasiness.
The video poked fun at the Ngepan, a traditional Iban dress for women, triggered a digital melee among piqued netizens from all over the country with some irate Sarawakians lodging police reports in Sibu and in Puchong, Selangor dressed in full Iban regalia.
In the Instagram stories clip, the influencer Ryzal – whose actual name is Muhammad Ryzal Nik Ibrahim – uploaded footage of his Korean wife Maryam You Narae dressed in the Ngepan, while he takes liberty to poke fun at the various “components” of the colourful traditional dress, richly adorned with the usual “fragile and fanciful” ornaments.
Earlier today, The Vibes reported Peter Minos, chairman of Sarawak’s Bung Bratak Heritage Association, remarking that Iban men do not take kindly if the Ngepan is insulted or made the butt of ridiculous jokes.
“Making fun of these things is not right as they could be auspicious in certain cultures. It is only common sense and comes from proper family upbringing,” he said.
The couple has already come out with apology videos following the controversy.
In his video, Ryzal stated that he was directing the comment to his wife.
“To all Ibans, I am so sorry. I understand that you are all hurt and angry at the insensitive joke I made, I was only making fun of my wife but this time, it went too far,” he said in his seven-minute apology video.
His wife, who many online users are defending, claiming that she did not do or say anything wrong in the video, posted her own 26-minute apology video.
Meanwhile, Francisca Luhong James, the Malaysian beauty queen who recently represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe competition, urged her followers to avoid giving Ryzal the time of day in a lengthy post.
“Well it seems like he wants to get people to talk about him and follow him on social media, I think we better not give him the attention that he ‘thirsts’ for,” Francisca wrote on Instagram.
“At least we are proud of our culture and heritage and I’m glad to see Sarawakians stand together. Focus on the harvest festival and enjoy with our loved ones,” she added. – The Vibes, May 29, 2021
