GEORGE TOWN, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has clarified that only a 280-metre lane that branches off the main road in front of Thean Hock Keong Temple, not the Pantai Bersih Road, is being considered for a name change.
State Public Transport and Digital Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who also chairs the Road Names Committee explained this after public concerns that the main road would be renamed ‘Dragon Temple Lane.’
Zairil said the name change request for the shorter road was submitted over a year ago by Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, in collaboration with the Thean Hock Kiong Association.
The proposal went through the usual vetting process, including review by the State Geographic Name Technical Committee and the Road Names Committee. However, the decision was postponed in 2024 for further information.
“The confusion arose because two roads share the name Pantai Bersih - the main road, which stretches from the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) to Jalan Gangsa, and the shorter 280-metre branch road,” he said.
Zairil also clarified that the name ‘Dragon Temple Lane’ has never been officially gazetted or used in government documents.
It has only been informally used by the local community. He suggested that a name like ‘Jalan Tokong Naga’ could be considered, as it reflects the historical and local identity, in line with Malaysian geographic naming guidelines that require the use of Malay.
“Renaming a road is a complex process,” Zairil said, adding that it requires the consent of local residents, consultations, and updates to official documents like ID cards and business addresses.
He also noted that the Thean Hock Keong Temple, which has been established since 1951, plays a key role in the naming process.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reassured the public that the name change only concerns the branch road near the temple, not the main Pantai Bersih Road. He urged the public not to be misled by inaccurate information.
Previously, the Penang PKR Youth Wing (AMK) opposed a proposal by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng to rename Pantai Bersih Road to ‘Dragon Temple Lane.’
Residents of Pantai Bersih Road also planned a peaceful protest against the proposed name change.
-- BERNAMA
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