Nemo as mascot? Crazy!
May 3, 2006 at 11:34 am (My Humble Opinion)
I read with disappointment this piece of news the other day but was too sick to blog about it:
Turtle crushed as Terengganu fishes for dynamism
KUALA TERENGGANU: The turtle, Terengganu’s most popular symbol and sports mascot, is losing its appeal while a fish resembling Nemo, Pixar Studio's animated character, is swimming into the limelight.
Terengganu, which is hosting the Sukma 2008 Games, has introduced the clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) as its mascot, replacing the turtle, which has been synonymous with the state for decades.
“The turtle is too slow."
“We prefer the fish because it is more agile and dynamic,” said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh here yesterday.
“This colourful fish can help project the state’s vibrant tourism industry and scenic islands,” he said, adding that the decision was made by the state executive council at its recent meeting.
There are 28 species of clownfish but the most common and the one that looks most like the one in the movie Finding Nemo is the bright orange and white striped Percula clownfish. The movie also featured a turtle called Crush.
When asked whether the move meant that the government was no longer placing importance on turtles, he said:
“Nobody has been more forceful than the present state administration in protecting the turtles. We have gazetted 10 turtle sanctuaries and this reflects our deep commitment.”
Turtle scientist Prof Chan Eng Heng of Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia (Kustem) urged the state to reconsider its decision.
She said the move was tantamount to the state turning its back on the creatures, adding that Terengganu, was the only state in the peninsula where turtles nest in good numbers.
“Although the leatherbacks, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill are on the verge of extinction, we still have green turtles,” she said.
And I could not agree more with the letter to the Editor, concerning the issue, which reads:
No contest - turtle the better mascot
I AM WRITING to express my disappointment about the replacement of the Sukma 2008 mascot with a clownfish, ”Turtle crushed as Terengganu fishes for dynamism” (The Star, April 29).
What is a turtle compared with a clownfish, you may ask? Well, we Asians grew up in a culture rich with symbolism, among other things.
The turtle, along with the hornbill and the orang-utan, are strong symbols of Malaysia’s natural heritage.
It is also undeniable that the turtle is one of the special symbols of Terengganu, probably starting from many decades ago with the beloved leatherback and Rantau Abang beach.
Is the turtle to be replaced by a Nemo look-alike which caught somebody’s fancy?
The image of the turtle should be revered as a symbol of the state.
Nemo is a commercial creation from a foreign land.
How could a foreign import like Nemo ever compare to our special turtle?
Prof Dr Chan Eng Heng is right. In this Asian culture, choosing the clownfish over the turtle is tantamount to the state turning its back on the turtle.
Terengganu should be proud of the fact that it is the only state in the peninsula, where endangered turtles still nest in good numbers.
Therefore, I propose that the turtle be the mascot for Sukma 2008. No contest.
KHOR HUI MIN,
Kuala Lumpur.
Should we NOT continue to conserve and preserve what is left of our heritage? Should we NOT be proud that Malaysia, Terengganu specifically, is still home to 4 of the 7 species of marine turtles found worldwide?
If "this colourful fish can help project the state’s vibrant tourism industry and scenic islands", it can DO THE SAME to other states too. And do you SERIOUSLY think that mat sallehs and tourists come to the so-called "scenic islands" to see Nemo?! Crazy.
The MB also said that "the turtle is too slow. We prefer the fish because it is more agile and dynamic."
If THAT is the case, I suggest the "old" people in the state administration be replaced with "more agile and dynamic youngsters." Like myself. And my housemates. And my sister.
Hmmph!!
I am only in my mid-twenties. I am young, agile and dynamic. You all will vote for me, no?
nicktay said,
May 3, 2006 at 12:16 pm
hehe…times are changing
pelf: But some things don't change, like our heritage. Whether we like it or not.
moz monster said,
May 3, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Negaraku also they want to change … turtle gets replaced by a 'faster' fish … something's wrong here …
Japan, one of the world's most advanced nation has a national anthem so slow you'd fall asleep listening to it.
And now the clown fish? What's wrong with the turtle? Maybe China should replace the panda (another slow animal) with a faster one.
And African nations should be like, very advanced because they have the fastest animal of 'em all, the Cheetah.
pelf: *sigh* We can only say so much..
Hinching said,
May 3, 2006 at 12:48 pm
The clownfish idea doesn't sound right at all. Design-wise, you'll need to really have a strong imagination to visualize a clownfish pictured doing various sport poses for the SUKMA pictograms.
Did the guys even watch Finding Nemo? The turtles inside were never even potrayed as slow. More of a groovy, laid back creature.
Quoting the turtles as slow could be misleading as well. I assume 'they' were referring to tortoises instead. Anyone agree with me?
pelf: Yeah, either that, or they have given up on trying to conserve the turtles and is now turning to the "more vibrant coloured" clownfish.
Joshua said,
May 3, 2006 at 2:15 pm
I vote you! to replace these "clownfish" who are more in tune with cartoons.
pelf: Hhhhaha, only kids will vote for clownfishes! Plus, didn't the MB notice that even the local football team calls themselves "Penyu"?
chengsim said,
May 3, 2006 at 3:56 pm
omg. does the Menteri Besar watched Finding Nemo?
Crush actually SAVED tht Father Nemo at the Australian Current…
…so why worship Nemo over Crush??
pelf: Because it's more "agile and dynamic" ma.. Hmmph!
then again, its stupid. i still think they should stick to the Turtle as their mascot. Malaysian ministers with their silly rulings.
pelf: They have never considered the turtles. It just shows how ignorant the government can be at times.
hsin said,
May 3, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Stupid bureaucrats
pelf: Indeed.. *nods head* But how stupid can a person gets? How stupid can a TEAM of officials get?!
pelfychen said,
May 3, 2006 at 9:44 pm
I quote, "The turtle is too slow."
Slow and steady win the race. (think about the story of the rabbit and the turtle/ or the same family, tortoise)
pelf: They don't read fables la, they watch cartoons and fall in love with them.
innox said,
May 3, 2006 at 11:17 pm
If agility and dynamism are of major significance, then what say "Sonic the Hedgehog"? It can run, spin, roll and charge at hair-raising speed and bump the sh*t out of whatever that gets in its way. It can swim, too!
pelf: This is a marvelous idea :) And I quite like that guy too :)
And how about Mario? Yes, that Italian with the moustache and always dresses in red. Not only can he run and swim pretty fast - he can throw fireballs, too. (Yes, his balls are hot!) He can easily beat the cr*p out of the poor turtles.
pelf: No, no.. This is too violent..
Oh but mind you, some turtles are not really that slow especially those with wings.
q ^_^!p
Come to think of this kind of stupidity and shallowness, we also got a plethora of government officials here in HK having just the same quality, and I am proud of them…
… having so many tolerant, forgiving, and tax-paying citizens like us.
pelf: At least those government officials manage to keep public buses in HK clean and punctual. THAT, in itself, is already an ACHIEVEMENT :)
Eileen said,
May 4, 2006 at 12:28 am
Memang lebih ni. That time i went to t’gganu, the officer asked us wat’s the first thing u think of when u come to t’gganu.. WE all answered: TURTLE!!. Sigh.. really rediculous. Sad sad.. somemore TURTLE so TOUGH!! not like clownfish.. need anemone to protect them.. cheh!!
pelf: But what can we do? *sigh*
pelf-ism is contagious » Blog Archive » Help me get the coin..? Please..? said,
May 18, 2006 at 12:43 pm
[...] So apparently, somebody read this post (together with my views), or so I thought, and decided to "compensate" by producing a commemorative coin with a turtle engraved onto it.. [...]
pelf-ism is contagious » Blog Archive » 10,000 down to 1 said,
June 7, 2006 at 6:49 pm
[...] First of all, why “Kuala Lumpur” instead of “Kuala Terengganu”? Please don’t tell me that a leatherback turtle had just nested somewhere in KL, because that should make the cover story instead. OK, maybe they have enough reasons for that. I am, afterall, NOT a journalist *bluek* Ouh, I just remembered, the turtles are no longer associated with Terengganu anymore. Gone were the days.. The clownfishes are taking over..!! [...]
pelf-ism is contagious » Blog Archive » Postcards #58 and #59 said,
February 7, 2007 at 7:12 pm
[...] We have a viable number of green turtles in our waters, but some smart politicians prefer the clownfish as a mascot! [...]