Upin and Ipin worth their weight in gold

(From second left) Meer, Burhanuddin, Ainon and Zarida with Upin and Ipin mascots at the launch event in Putrajaya.

HABIB JEWELS has introduced the limited-edition gold coin inscribed with Malaysia’s iconic animated character Upin and Ipin.

This was made possible with the collaboration of the jeweler with Les’ Copaque Production Sdn Bhd, which produces the popular animated series featuring five-year-old twin boys, Upin and Ipin.

At the launch of the exclusive collaboration between the two Malaysian local brands at IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Habib Group executive chairman Datuk Seri Meer Habib, in his speech, said: “We buy gold not only as decorative items, but as investment. This culture should be continued, especially by the younger generation.”

Meer said they launched the Upin and Ipin gold coin at a reasonable price of RM118 each, to expose youths on investing in gold.

In conjunction with Habib’s Merdeka exhibition this year themed on #SokongLokal, the partnership was a perfect choice for the jeweller, and the launch unveiled the Upin and Ipin 24-karat gold coin, which weighs at 0.2gm, and this became the highlight of their participation at the mall until Sept 6.

Meer said they made 10,000 Upin and Ipin gold coins for this first launch to be sold at Habib’s 28 branches.

“We will look at other design possibilities next, ” he said, adding that the partnership with Les’ Copaque will be from two to three years.

On his expectations, Meer was confident that the gold coins would be snapped up due to its quality and limited-edition factor.

The limited-edition gold coin embossed with the Upin and Ipin characters.

“The response will be good. This is our first partnership featuring an animated character, ” he said.

The gold coin is part of Habib’s #supportlocal initiative, which aims to boost homegrown businesses and uplift local talents in these challenging new normal period.

Through this initiative, it is hoped that consumers will purchase from locally owned businesses as they are the engine of the country’s economy, as buying local will not only save jobs and businesses, but stimulate Malaysia’s economic growth.

At the event, Les’ Copaque Production managing director Burhanuddin Md Radzi said he was happy that other companies trusted the quality of the local brand.

“I hope there will be other collaborations with other companies, ” he said.

He said they had millions of views on Les’ Copaque Production's YouTube channel and 11.3mil subscribers for the animated series, while the Goyang Upin and Ipin music video had garnered 32 million views.

“We are also the recipient of YouTube’s Diamond Play Button award when our channel hit 10 million subscribers for Upin and Ipin, ” he said.

Among others, Burhanuddin said also collaborated with a milk manufacturer to promote their brand locally and in Indonesia.

Also present at the event were Meer’s wife, Zarida Noordin, and Burhanuddin’s wife, Ainon Ariff, together with key opinion leaders, and both brands' team members.

Guests were entertained with a lively appearance of mascot Upin and Ipin, and treated to a Goyang Upin and Ipin dance session.