Malaysia

No decision on suggestion to change road name in Penang, says CM

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state exco for infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari told a press conference that the committee on road names have deliberated, but no decision has been made on the proposal.

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 21 Jan 2026 6:01PM

No decision on suggestion to change road name in Penang, says CM
Chow stressed that the clarification would put the issue to rest. - January 21, 2026.

by Ian McIntyre

PENANG has urged all sides to be calm as there are no plans to change the name of a prominent road in Butterworth called Jalan Pantai Bersih.

What was proposed, which the state has yet to decide, is to name one of the lanes originating from Jalan Pantai Bersih as Jalan Tokong Naga.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state exco for infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari told a press conference that the committee on road names have deliberated, but no decision has been made on the proposal.

Zairil said that the proposed name of Jalan Tokong Naga, which sits in front of the Taoist Thean Hock Keong Temple, is more of a folklore.

"There are no records of such a road name in Penang's road system. We will study the matter, but for now, no decision has been made," said Zairil.

He said that there was some confusion in the initial proposal, and this may have led to some objections.

Chow said that this matter should put to rest the confusion which emanated from the matter.

He said this in response to a question that some residents in Butterworth plan to hold a protest tomorrow on the pretext of the Jalan Pantai Bersih being changed.

The issue erupted when Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who is a former Penang Chief Minister, suggested on behalf of the temple committee.

This drew a sharp rebuke from parties such as PKR and Umno over the proposed name change.

But Chow stressed that the clarification would put the issue to rest. - January 21, 2026.

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