HRC KK apologises over orang-utan ad
Published on: Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: People in Sabah including business operators have been reminded to be extra careful when using iconic wildlife animals for commercial use as it may offend animallovers and activists in the world.Issuing the reminder, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said it is imperative for them to do so especially how they portray the animals in their advertisements and marketing strategies."I need to remind people that animal lovers all over the world are very sensitive and not happy if iconic wildlife animals are used or seen as being exploited for monetary gain.ADVERTISEMENT "They can go for a movement to boycott Sabah by urging tourists not to come to Sabah…this is what I am worried about. Hence, that is why it is important for the people including the operators to be careful when deciding on this kind of promotions," he said.Masidi said this to reporters after witnessing the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) documents between AlmaCrest International College Sabah Campus with Sabah Backpackers Association and Royal Talent Capital Pte. Limited, Singapore, respectively, here.AlmaCrest International College Executive Director cum Group of Chief Executive Officer Terrence S. K. Chee represented the college while Sabah Backpackers Association was represented by its President Richie Lee and Royal Talent Capital Pte Limited, Singapore by its President Dr Athena Georgene Ang.Masidi was commenting on a Hard Rock Café (HRC) Kota Kinabalu marketing promo on a bunting that showed an orang-utan dressed up in a rock frock playing an electric guitar in a very unnatural pose for an orang-utan.ADVERTISEMENT It was reported Monday that Sabah Wildlife Director William Baya said the department received many comments from around the world through social media postings like via Twitter, emails and even phone calls from as far as Australia ever since the photo (of the orang-utan playing the electric guitar) went viral less than 72 hours ago.According to Baya, the department has advised the HRC management here not to use the orang-utan in their media promotions for fear animal welfare groups in Malaysia and around the world would be on a warpath condemning Sabah for such distasteful act of exploiting the orang-utans.
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He said he was surprised to see that the iconic animal (orang-utan) was still used by the management concerned despite being advised not to proceed with such media promo.Hence, Baya was also reported that he had directed his officers to meet them (HRC management KK) to discuss the matter urgently. Masidi said it would not be wrongful if iconic animals are being promoted to create public awareness on their protection."Some people were unhappy upon seeing the advertisement. But I think the management of HRC probably has underestimated Sabahans' emotional attachment and that of animal lovers around the world."Orang-utan is the icon animal to Sabah…and thus it is not something that you can put with a guitar and expect that it would be okay. "Using the animal for the purpose of enhancing public awareness to realise the significance of protecting the animal is fine but for commercial use, they have to be extra careful on how it is portrayed," he said. Masidi believed that the management concerned was unaware of the implications when putting up the said advertisement. He has also directed his officers concerned to talk to the HRC management on the matter.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Meanwhile, HRC Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday extended an apology for offending people over their recent advertisements."We sincerely apologise to those who have been offended by recent advertisements for the new Hard Rock Café Kota Kinabalu. "We have removed the buntings and are working with Hard Rock International and local authorities to ensure that all future advertisements are culturally sensitive," it said.