Ubah Bird in Penang

Ubah di Air waterborne bird mascot, IJM Promenade (13 July 2013)


The Water Ubah Bird, or Ubah Di Air, at IJM Promenade, which is now called the Karpal Singh Drive, is a temporary exhibit in Jelutong, Penang. The float was launched at about 10:30 am on a rainy Saturday morning of 13 July, 2013 by the chief minister of Penang, the Right Honourable Tuan Lim Guan Eng, in the presence of other dignitaries of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), among them Lim Kit Siang and Chow Kon Yeow. Also attending is Mr Long Han, the man who designed that famous mascot.

The Ubah Bird is a Sarawak hornbill. It was adopted by the Pakatan Rakyat alliance as their mascot in the run-up to the 13th General Elections of Malaysia, and has since become popular among the populace, especially the people of Penang.

Unveiling of Ubah mascot (13 July 2013)


Prior to the unveiling of the Ubah Bird in the water, it was shrouded with a red cloth. The dignitaries boarded a sampan to reach the giant rubber bird. It has been drizzling the whole morning, but as the actual unveiling was about to take place, rain came down quite heavily. Nonetheless, crowds have been gathering at the IJM Promenade since early in the morning, and many braved the rain to view the birds for the first time.

Meanwhile, the organizers have set up an "Ubah Kiosk" selling various Ubah and DAP-related souvenir including the big and small Ubah toys, t-shirts, button badges, car stickers, fans, collar pins and postcards.

It's hot in here: man in Ubah Mascot taking a breather (13 July 2013)


Ubah in the sky (13 July 2013)


Rocket soaring (13 July 2013)

Updates

10 August, 2013: I finally made a visit to the Jelutong IJM Promenade at night to view the Ubah bird with lights on. To my surprise, the promenade is still very crowded with people, though the bird has been around for several weeks already.

Although I have been excited to view the Ubah bird in the beginning, what I saw last night has begun to get to me, as I see this Ubah thing descending into crass commercialism. There is a huge proliferation of Ubah souvenirs. On top of the clocks, watches and other small souvenirs I saw a few weeks ago, there are now Ubah mooncakes.

One of the terrace houses along Lebuh Sungai Pinang 4 has converted into a makeshift shop selling more souvenirs. It played loud music with a throbbing bass that seemed to rattle the whole neighbourhood, without much regard to the residents' well-being. I am glad I am not one of the neighbours having to tolerate such insensitivity.

I love the Ubah bird. I think of it as quite adorable. I was quite excited to go to the Jelutong Promenade to view it. However, I am unhappy that the mascot has been turned into a money-spinning object, and that the resulting hoohah is destroying the serenity of the residential neighbourhood. At the very least, I hope the callous blaring of loud music in the neighbourhood would stop.

Ubah Bird at night (11 August 2013)

Getting there

The IJM Promenade is best reached by private vehicle. Exit the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at the Sungai Pinang Interchange. Continue along Lebuh Sungai Pinang 1 towards the sea. Upon arriving at the promenade, you will see the Ubah Di Air mascot in the sea off the shore.


View Ubah Di Air at IJM Promenade in a larger map

Crowds at IJM Promenade (13 July 2013)


Ubah kiosk (13 July 2013)


Crowds at Ubah Kiosk (13 July 2013)


Ubah merchandise (13 July 2013)

Karpal Singh Drive Waterborne Art