PROTESTORS, purportedly from a non-governmental organisation called PAJIM and a few political parties, launched a protest yesterday over the proposed name change of Jalan Pantai Bersih in Penang.
They also called for former chief minister Lim Guan Eng to return to Melaka to contest in the next general election after blaming him for causing disharmony over his suggestion to change the name.
It was the first street protest in Penang in several months.
Despite clarification from the state that the proposal from Lim, and also Sungai Puyu assemblyperson Phee Syn Tze, that the proposal was just for 300m near the historic Taoist Thean Hock Keong Temple in Began Ajam, the protest went ahead.
An organising spokesperson of the protest from PAJIM, Azmi Jaafar, said the former chief minister was a source of disharmony for proposing the name change without going through the proper channels.
The residents near the temple, who are predominantly Muslims, were also not consulted, said Azmi.
He will also be presenting a seven-point memorandum to the Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today at the latter's office in Komtar.
"There is no need to change road names in Penang. We must understand the history of the state," shouted Azmi, who rallied supporters from the NGO and a few political parties, believed to be from PAS and Umno.
The temple committee had suggested a name change of a stretch of Jalan Pantai Bersih, which is home to several prominent seafood eateries here.
The name selected is Jalan Tokong Naga, or in English, the Dragon Temple Lane, as the temple committee believed that such a name was historically associated with the temple, which is among the oldest in Penang.
The protestors gathered for 45 minutes before dispersing peacefully under police watch.
Both Phee and Lim could not be contacted for immediate comments.
Chow had earlier stated that the state continues to study the proposal, and no final decision has been made. - January 23, 2026.
