Keling, Kumang cattle stunt: Analyst questions Sarawak Agrofest cultural checks

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 5: An analyst has questioned the cultural checks in place at the Sarawak Agrofest 2026 after cattle were named “Keling” and “Kumang” as a promotional gimmick, saying the use of the iconic Iban names should have raised a red flag before the stunt was rolled out.

Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan said the names carry deep cultural significance to the Iban community and should not have been used casually for livestock.

The controversial references have since been withdrawn by the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS), which also apologised following concerns from the Iban community.

However, Jayum said the issue should not end with the withdrawal, as the Agrofest involved multiple government agencies and was organised under the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD), headed by Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.