Pembela, which claims to represent 50 NGOs in Penang, has taken Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng to task for allegedly requesting that Jalan Pantai Bersih in Butterworth be changed to Jalan Tokong Naga.
Its chairperson, Azmi Jaafar, accused the former Penang chief minister of interfering in the running of the current state administration.
“The people of Penang strongly reject the change of name. To us, this has bad intentions to disrupt the harmony between races in Penang,” Azmi said during a protest today.
“We want Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to explain why someone who has lost power can still interfere in these matters.
“We will send him back to Malacca this time,” he said, referring to when Lim was a three-term MP for Kota Melaka from 1986 to 1999.
Lim, who was at a dinner in the Thean Hock Keong temple on Jan 10, reportedly spoke about the issue.
He allegedly requested Chow to use his power as chief minister to carry out the change.
Lim has not responded to requests for comment.
Villagers hold protest
About 50 villagers, led by Azmi, gathered at 5pm today at the Taman Tun Dr Awang flats in Butterworth, holding up placards in protest of the issue.
The protesters hoisted colourful banners which read: “Penang Elok Dah” (Penang is just fine), “Lim Guan Eng, Pergi Balik Melaka” (Lim Guan Eng, go back to Malacca), “Pulau Pinang Ada Sejarahnya” (Penang has its history), including the most controversial placard being “Jangan Cabar Melayu” (Don’t challenge the Malays).
Azmi also claimed that PKR members rejected the name change.
“We don’t usually interfere in the state administration, for example, the naming of Karpal Singh Drive in Sungai Pinang.
“Did we interfere? No. So, why are they interfering with our road name?” Azmi said in a fiery tone.
He then said the group will send a memorandum to Chow at the Komtar tower tomorrow, to question the rationale for renaming a road after a temple.
“Approximately 85 percent of residents are Muslim, which raises concerns that the move could provoke religious sensitivities and disrupt interfaith harmony.
“Such a naming decision may be perceived as insensitive or offensive to Muslims, for whom temple worship is strictly prohibited and considered syirik (idolatry).”
According to Azmi, the memorandum will also question whether Lim, despite facing corruption charges, continues to exert influence over the Penang state administration.
He said it will also cite certain views held by Lim that reflect the MP’s political style of division and intolerance.
“We want to ask whether the current chief minister exercises independent leadership or remains bound to the approaches and influence of previous leadership.”
Only changing name of a lane
The name change proposal has sparked unrest among some members of the community in the area.
Residents are unhappy with the proposal as Malay villages such as Kampung Pak Leh and Kampung Contoh are in the vicinity.
However, the state government said there has been some confusion over which road name will be changed.
State executive councillor in charge of infrastructure, transport, and digital Zairil Khir Johari said they received an application to change the name of a 280m lane, which is off the Jalan Pantai Bersih main road.
He said the Thean Hock Keong Association applied to change the name of the lane, which is also named Jalan Pantai Bersih, to “Dragon Temple Lane” or “Jalan Tokong Naga”.
Explaining their move, the temple claimed that the name “Dragon Temple Lane” or “Jalan Tokong Naga” had been officially recorded in the temple association’s registration documents since 1951.
This prompted Sungai Puyu assemblyperson Phee Syn Tze and the Thean Hock Keong Association to apply for the name change last year. - Mkini
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