The launch of “Water Ubah” in Penang this morning is in keeping with the Malaysian Dream to have a united nation where Malaysians regard themselves as one people despite the diversity of race, religion, culture and region in the country.
In fact, some 50 years ago, on July 9, 1963, the Malaysian nation was conceived when the Federated Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore signed the Malaysia Agreement which gave birth to the new Malaysian federation two months later, and this is why the presence of the DAP Iban Central Executive Committee member Dr. John Brian at the ceremony today is particularly pertinent apart from the fact that the Ubah mascot is inspired by the hornbill in Sarawak.
Credit must be given to Ooi Leng Hang, the “father of Ubah” and his team of creative artists and publicists in conceiving the Ubah mascot for “Change” and capturing the imagination of all generations of Malaysians, regardless of time, place, age or gender.
As signified by the launch of the “Water Ubah” today, we must have the conviction and courage to continue to dream of a better Malaysia for ourselves, our children and children’s children, and to do our part to create a Malaysia:
• which is the model of democratic freedoms and human rights, good governance and public integrity with low levels of corruption in public life;
• where there is the best education for all children, from primary, secondary to university level; and
• which is greener, cleaner and safer, where the people are not haunted by high crime rate and live in fear of crime, so that Malaysia and Malaysians can be internationally competitive with the focus on our competitiveness with the rest of the world instead of Malaysians versus Malaysians.
Although there was a drizzle during the launch of the “Water Ubah” at Jelutong IJM Promenade by Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng, the spirit of the large crowd who gathered for the event was not affected in any degree, which is most inspiring as it is symbolic that although the battle of “Ubah” for a better Malaysia is going to be a long haul, the spirit and dedication of Malaysians committed to the cause of a better Malaysia will not be doused by any temporary setback or obstacle.
The cause for Ubah in Malaysia is firmly set.
That,s the way LGE, all the best, lets unite and get rid of the running dogs and mamak tongkang once and for all
Mascot should have symbolic meaning. The MCA’s panda is not that good. Its president said the panda represents Chinese community’s “excellent relationship” with China., which is of course more communal than national! In Sarawak state election 2011 the Rhino Hornbill helped DAP win seats. It is also said to have helped DAP’s election campaign and success in GE13 (though whether that is due a lot to popularity of the mascot is debatable). But now post election how does (in terms of symbolism) the Hornbill represent Penang or for that matter, the common Malaysian Dream to have a united nation? It’s identified with Sarawak which has once again proven in GE 13 allegiance as fixed deposit state for the ruling coalition structured on divide and rule tactics. At best it is a reminder of DAP outstanding performance in the 2011 Sarawak elections. Sarawakians themselves may wonder whether a hornbill (which is perched on tree) represents them now that it is on water! One wonders what’s in common between Hornbill on water and Florentijn Hofman’s duck on water from which the hornbill draws inspiration. Hofman himself so far has resisted its Rubber duck for being used for political causes or financial purposes.
They are still stupid brains in this country after 50 years of help still demand Malaysia minority to protect majority…like without those they can not live their life
This country is doomed majority are like these while the world growing higher competitive each other higher higher each year they demand financial drop from the sky without hardwork
Without minority hardworking Malaysia citizen this country long gone ringgit worth little value
Worst many of those support corrupted…encourage criminal acts…worst they feel no shame
Stupid brains think nothing except the ‘cursed’ clutches to hang on forever.sigh..
It will be nice to install some electronics into the “Water Ubah” so that it can periodically sing out some Malaysian unity-songs or praises such as, “I love Malaysia”, “My Malaysia”, “March on Malaysia”, “Long live Malaysia”, etc.
The Mascot and Ubah message was good idea, even borderline great – original, to the point. BUT this business of the Water Ubah, not so much. On the surface, it looks no different than riding on another popular culture phenom but a some point, that idea itself gets old.
The problem of the Ubah message is that it needs to go where it find it hard to go – in land. If you are going to spend a chunk of money, it should be for that message to get there – an Ubah mobil i.e. a car dressed up with Ubah custume would have been more fitting..
Better yet. Get one of this for Ubah mascot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgACwfl6FBI