Nanta says short appearance in Upin & Ipin an honour

KUCHING: The special appearance of Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi in a local popular short animated series ‘ Upin & Ipin’ (Season 14) is an honour for him and the ministry.

“It is an honour to be involved in the Upin & Ipin animated series, which is popular not only among children but also adults.

“Even though I was only given a cartoon character, I consider it as an honour because the most important thing is the objective that we want to convey to the people, in the episode ‘ Barang Baik, Barang Kita’ in Upin & Ipin Season 14,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, said the ministry had long been involved with the series’ producer Les’ Copaque through the television animated series Upin & Ipin in advocating the ministry’s programmes, especially the ‘ Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign’ and ‘Malaysian Sales Campaign’.

However, Upin & Ipin Season 14 is the official involvement of Les’ Copaque in the ministry’s team to conduct public advocacy programmes.

According to Nanta, Upin & Ipin was chosen because the ministry felt the spirit of love for Malaysian-made goods should be sown at an early age.

“We try to create awareness from a young age and we approach consumers through the family institution, and what better than through characters known to many Malaysian children and adults.

“The ministry will use any channel that it thinks can convey the message to the people, and in this case through Upin & Ipin,” he said.

The 17-minute Upin & Ipin Season 14, used the advertising slogan ‘Barang Baik, Barang Kita’, to promote products made in Malaysia.

In the episode, Nanta had a one-minute appearance speaking about Malaysian-made products.

Nanta said the ministry wanted the ‘Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign’ to succeed because RM20 million had been allocated under the 2021 Budget to continue with the campaign as well as the ‘ Malaysian Sales Campaign’.

The purpose of the two campaigns is to help revive the Malaysian economy post-Covid-19.

“If we are successful in both these campaigns the Malaysianmade products would be bought and used by consumers. There would be consistent demand, which indirectly guarantees the continuity of production and businesses relating to Malaysian goods.

“In this way, businesses can be protected. They will not be very much affected by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), which means the businesses do not need to be closed or go bankrupt,” he said.