Designer S Collection Mocks Mah Meri Tradition Village Head Lodges Report

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The Mah Meri Orang Asli community in Sungai Bumbun has lodged a police report following fashion designer, Anuar Zainal’s new collection that put the tribe’s ritual masks on topless models.
Village chairperson Azman Sap alleged that the collection called “Mah Meri x Anuar Zainal”, was in mockery of the tribe’s ancient tradition.
He lodged the police report at the Teluk Panglima Garang police station in Hulu Langat at 1pm yesterday.
“I filed a report after seeing Anuar’s post on Instagram and found some male models wearing Mah Meri masks. We are furious with his actions.
“In addition, the models were also found in a semi-nude state. Each spirit mask has a specific function and cannot be touched or played with," he told Malaysiakini.
Azman emphasised that the spirit mask holds great significance as a cultural symbol of their community.
As such, he added, it’s important to seek the tok batin’s (village chief) permission before donning it.
“The fashion designer should have sought permission from the tok batin or any village committee member before parading his collection,” he said.
Also present at the police station was tok batin Sidin Anak Bujang, Maznah Anak Unyan (leader of the Mah Meri dance group), A Samri Abd Rahman (wood carving teacher) and Kemi Khamis (woodcraft carver).
Malaysiakini has contacted the Kuala Langat district police for a response.
Anuar’s collection, which was showcased in a fashion show in conjunction with CIMB Artober festival on Sunday (Oct 8), received backlash from several quarters, with some accusing Anuar of cultural appropriation.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported Orang Asli activist Shaq Koyok criticising Anuar’s collection.
The contemporary artist, who is from the Temuan tribe, accused Anuar of disrespecting Mah Meri customs and exploiting the tribe when the latter named his collection after it.
In response, Anuar in a statement, claimed that he and relevant quarters had obtained permission from the Mah Meri community.
Orang Asli activist Shaq KoyokHowever, his explanation was void of details.
At the same time, Anuar also denied claims that he had exploited the tribe’s culture.
Instead, he insisted that the collection was aimed at generating income for the Orang Asli tribe - with a commercial touch.
Meanwhile, Azman stressed the Mah Meri community does not support the collection and questioned its purpose.
“We don’t see any creativity in displaying shirtless models holding only the mask.
“If it was the modernisation of the traditional bark costume and woven with additional things, it’s not a problem because there were designs like this before.
Petition demanding public apology, explanation
Meanwhile, Orang Asli groups and advocates have also launched an online petition – listing three demands - to address cultural appropriation at the CIMB Artober festival.
The petition first demanded a public apology from Anuar, CIMB, all event partners and collaborators involved in the production and staging of the controversial fashion show.
It also said that those aforementioned quarters must issue a public apology to the Mah Meri community for the appropriation of spirit masks.
“Among the many cultural transgressions observed (during the show) include the use of ‘Mah Meri’ as a name for the collection, the use of the hashtag #MahMeribyAnuarFaizal on social media and the use of Mah Meri spirit masks worn and paraded by topless models at the fashion show.
“To attribute one’s name to an entire indigenous group alludes to a form of ‘ownership’ and entitlement to the group and the Mah Meri spirit masks were inappropriately styled on non-Mah Meri, topless models.
“To the Orang Asli community at large, this action is considered cultural appropriation and an abuse, as well as a violation of spiritual and cultural objects, diminishing their significance in the name of fashion,” it said.
The statement was signed by 18 representatives and groups from the Orang Asli community.
Among them are Azman, Sidin, Shaq, Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), Gerimis Art Project, Catama Borneo, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Right Committee, and The Tuyang Initiative.
In addition, it demanded Anuar promptly remove all images and videos related to the show from his social media platforms.
The petition also demanded a public explanation to address the discussions and presumptions that led to the appropriation and steps that will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. - Mkini

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