Mascots the latest trend among parties with choices of an insect, birds and a rare animal
PKR’s 40-foot state-of-the-art ‘battle machine’ that will be used for the state election campaign.
The image of PKR’s mascot that was first uploaded by Nurul Izzah on Instagram.
KUCHING: What have a stinging insect, an animal on the brink of extinction, a bird that is the emblem of Sarawak and a bird of prey in common in the coming state election?
The answer is the bee, the Borneo Rhinoceros, the hornbill and the hawk have been chosen as the mascots of some of the parties entering the fray.
The hornbill has been adopted by DAP as its mascot since last state election when they chose the bird as the symbol of their quest for change naming their bird ‘Ubah’ which means change in Malay.
This election the party decided to take more robust approach by renaming their hornbill ‘Ubah Warrior’ or ‘Change Warrior.’
Earlier this year SUPP decided to choose the bee as its mascot with the slogan “We Can Bee”.
The choice of the bee reflects the party’s siege mentality as the insect can sting when pushed to the edge – a situation the state’s oldest party feels it faces in the tussle for seats with its direct rival UPP.
Not to be outdone UPP launched its mascot – a hawk with the tagline “Oooh Ha” the signature cry of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Although UPP members standing as direct BN candidates have to resign from the party, for all intents and purposes they still represent the party.
The hawk seems to be more of a direct response to DAP’s warrior hornbill than to SUPP’s bee and the ‘fight’ between these two birds especially in Chinese majority urban seats would be an interesting spectacle.
The latest political party to enter the ‘mascot war’ is PKR which has adopted the Borneo Rhinoceros as its mascot.
State PKR vice chairman and elections director See Chee How, when contacted confirmed that the blue Borneo rhinoceros mascot would be launched this Friday.
The image of the mascot was first uploaded by PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar on Instagram.
See did not explain the significance of the animal to his party but the choice is puzzling as the Rhinoceros is believed to be extinct in Sarawak and Kalimantan and there are only an estimated 50 of them left deep in the heart of Sabah’s jungles.
However, a journalist was quick to comment that the rhinoceros reminded her of a lovely children book by Shel Silverstein “Who wants a cheap rhinoceros”.
“The same author of “The Giving Tree” wrote this book about a child who goes on an adventure desperately wanting to sell his pet rhinoceros.
“He tries to convince people the good qualities of his pet in a poem and the story goes on with the child telling that the rhino is a good housekeeper and help at home, and even a shark intimidator!
“It is a special relationship of the boy and the rhinoceros. One best part reads, he’ll back you up when you want extra allowance and he’s great at intimidating a shark. Best of all, he’s easy to love.”
Now voters are wondering if the three BN component parties PBB, SPDP and PRS would follow suit and choose their mascot before the polls – the crocodile, fighting cock and sun bear are some appropriate choices yet to be taken.
Meanwhile, PKR Sarawak yesterday celebrated the arrival of the party’s election ‘battle machine’ that will be used for its campaign.
The arrival of the ‘battle machine’ signifies the high state of readiness of the party in facing the state election that will be held on May 7.
“We have never been more prepared than we are now for any election. We are fully ready. Thanks to the consistent efforts of our members and leaders over the past two years,” See said.
The 40-foot state-of-the-art ‘battle machine’ was shipped from Peninsular Malaysia and had been used in many election campaigns throughout the country.
It is equipped with all the necessities to conduct an election campaign, including a mobile stage.
Besides PKR, other parties known to have their own election campaign machines are DAP and SUPP.