The deployment of Iban mercenaries recruited to fight in the Malayan Emergency was a widely publicised topic in the British press. Many newspapers articles contained titles referring to the Iban cultural practice of headhunting and contained articles portraying Ibans as violent and primitive while being friendly towards white Europeans. While many newspaper articles incorrectly argued that Ibans deployed to Malaya were no longer headhunters, others put forward arguments that Ibans in Malaya should be allowed to openly decapitate and scalp members of the MNLA.
the DEploymeNt of ibAn mErcEnarieS RecRuited to FIGht in thE MAlayan emerGenCy Was a WideLY publIciseD tOpiC in the BriTiSH preSs. MaNy newspapERs aRtIclES ConTaIned TiTLes rEfeRRing to the iBAn cUltUral PrActiCe of HeaDhUntINg anD coNtained artiCles PoRtRaying IbaNs aS viOleNT ANd primitIve While BEIng FRienDly tOwardS wHIte eUropeans. wHILe mANY nEwspAPer articLes incoRrEctlY aRGuED ThaT ibAns deployed TO mALaYa wEre No lonGer heADHunteRS, others Put FOrwArD argumEntS THat ibanS iN mAlAYa ShoulD be aLLoWeD TO OpeNlY DEcapitaTE and scAlp meMbERs of THe mnla.