MIRI: View it in whatever way you want, but the sightings of several hornbills perched on the roof of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Senadin Service Centre here certainly bring good tidings to the state coalition, and to the people of Sarawak.
The hornbills were seen resting at the top of the building at 2 pm yesterday (Jan 4), and stayed there for about an hour.
Because these birds spend much of their time in trees, apparently looking up to the heavens come rain, hail or shine, they are viewed by the Dayaks in particular as sacred animals, a symbol of good luck and good fortune.
Incidentally, the hornbill is Sarawak’s state bird and is also depicted in the GPS logo.
State Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin was happy to see three hornbills on the roof of his service centre.
He said the big GPS hornbill logo could have attracted the birds.
Reasoning that Miri has a lush environment with clean air that allows hornbills to live in the city, he said: “It shows that Miri has a green environment with clean air where hornbills can live in the city area at its urban nature reserve and fly freely around the city.
“In our local cultures, if a hornbill is seen flying over or visiting longhouses, homes, or places of work, it is believed that good luck and good fortune await them.
“The local natives also incorporate hornbill elements into their arts, carvings, and ceremonial dresses.”
The Senadin assemblyman noted that the logo of the GPS coalition – made up of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – depicts a hornbill, which symbolises the coalition’s resolve to fight for and preserve state rights.
Just like the hornbill, which deserves all the protection it needs to avoid extinction, GPS will also ensure that Sarawak’s rights are protected, he said.
“It seems that the hornbills also know that under the GPS government, they are well protected, like a father protecting them,” Lee said.
Under Sarawak laws, it’s a crime to harm, catch, or hunt hornbills.
“So they know that they are welcome and will feel very much at home and safe when they fly to say ‘hello’ to the GPS Senadin Service Centre,” he quipped.
Premier (then known as chief minister) Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg when unveiling the GPS logo at the PBB headquarters in Kuching on Jan 9 2019, said the hornbill, a protected species, represents the spirit of the founding parties in protecting Sarawak.
“It’s a historical moment as we reveal our logo of a coalition formed by Sarawakians, which will be leading and developing Sarawak in the new era.
“It is the design of a hornbill, a protected species, just like how we will continue to protect our state and our rights listed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). We will be fair to all the people of Sarawak, regardless of race or religion, and we will continue to develop Sarawak,” he said.
So, perhaps some people will interpret it to mean that the three hornbills had come a-calling in the new year – four years after the launch of GPS – to wish the coalition all the best and tell the leaders they are on the right path.
