The motif of the signage at Kuching International Airport is contemporary.

KUCHING, 7 Oct: The motifs on the signboard at Kuching International Airport (KIA) use a contemporary approach, yet still show elements of Sarawak and Malaysian art and culture.

Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said he received feedback about the design after the issue was raised on social media.

He said the motif is not purely traditional design, but rather incorporates some elements of art related to Sarawak and Malaysia.

"The motif shown is a contemporary form. They didn't put the original but a little bit of what was on display there showed elements of batik, kumbu pua and Sarawak or Malaysian art", he said.

He said this when meeting with the media after closing ceremony of Sarawak Women of Tomorrow (SWOT) 2026 at Damai Lagoon Resort, Santubong, here today.

Abdul Karim said that a work of art does not necessarily use traditional motifs as a whole to showcase local identities, instead it can be translated using a more modern approach.

He said Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) also referred to the design of the University of Malaysia Sarawak's Arts Unit (UNIMAS) which has expertise in art related to motif and batik.

"If the art shown does not directly reflect Malaysian or Sarawak art, it may have to be dropped, but the answer from MAB, they already refer to UNIMAS Art Unit", he said.