Klang folk want Padang Chetty name reinstated

The archway at Padang Chetty bearing its new name Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Klang after the refurbishment.

PUBLIC disapproval of Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) move to rename Padang Chetty to Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Klang is getting louder.

Former athletes, politicians and Klang folk are objecting to the new name and say that they have not been given an opportunity to give their views on the matter.

The new name was put up on an archway of the refurbished 1.34ha field in Jalan Bukit Jawa, Little India.

Padang Chetty, which was a training ground for many local athletes, got its name from Chettiar merchants of India’s Tamil Nadu who sold salt in bullock carts at the field in the 1940s.

They also conducted moneylending business across the field at Jalan Raya Barat, Klang.

Serjeet has fond memories of training at Padang Chetty.

Additionally, the 150-year-old Sri Nagara Thandayuthapani Hindu Temple and the Nattukotai Chettiar townhouse on one side of the field are managed by the Chettiar community.

Dr Zuraeda Ibrahim, an associate professor in a local university, said she used to undergo hockey training at the field in the late 1980s when she was still in school.

“It was fun as our teammates learned to dribble while moving in a zig-zag routine in between cones.

“Padang Chetty holds a lot of good memories.

“It is a place that gave birth to a number of sports personalities, ” she said.

She added that MPK must retain the original name as it gave Klang folk a sense of identity and allowed the current generation to understand the history of the place.

Fitness studio owner Datin Amelia Khalik also had hockey training at Padang Chetty during her school days in the 1980s.

“I used to train three times a week on the field.

Zuraeda says Padang Chetty gave Klang folk a sense of identity.

“I mastered the skills of dribbling the ball, trapping, passing and flat-stick tackling, ” she said, adding that in those days, training with her schoolmates helped her to understand ethnicity and value other races who were part of her school hockey team.

Nor Aliza Abd Rahman said the field looked very different following its refurbishment.

“I have many good memories of enjoyable training sessions on the grass pitch. I used to jog and cycle at the field too.

“MPK must reinstate the name as the field has seen people excel in sports.

“It is a classic name. It is also to honour the sportswomen and sportsmen of the past, ” she said, adding that this would also allow future generations to reconnect with history.

Former international hockey umpire Serjeet Singh, 65, has fond memories of Padang Chetty, where he used to train in the evenings for hockey tournaments.

“Our team used to spend hours to improve our tackling skills and ball control.

Maheswaran is upset that MPK changed the name of the field without a good reason.

“Our sportsmen and women want the name retained for future generations and for unity to prevail in the sports arena, ” he added.

Selangor MCA Youth deputy chairman Datuk BK Tan said MPK had failed the ordinary and hard-working ratepayers with its unilateral move.

“It is time MPK improves on its approach in dealing with ratepayers, conduct public engagement to get feedback and allow the people to have a say in the town’s progress, ” he said.

“MPK must not bulldoze through decisions that cause uneasiness among the people.

“Consultation with the people must be made mandatory.

“We want the new name taken down and the Padang Chetty name reinstated, ” he added.

Klang MIC Youth chief R. Maheswaran said a majority of Klang folk wanted MPK to reinstate the name Padang Chetty on the archway at the entrance of the field.

Tan says MPK should conduct engagement to get feedback on the name change.

“It is disappointing that MPK and Selangor government continue not to recognise and celebrate our diversity.

“The name change without rhyme or reason showed the local council’s lack of appreciation and sensitivity towards all Malaysian sports people who had used the field, ” he said.

Maheswaran added that his friends of various races had commented that MPK councillors failed to preserve the name Padang Chetty.

Masjid India Muslim Tengku Kelana chairman Md Yousoff Noor Mohamed said the community’s cultural identity was being erased and its uniqueness removed.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Klang division allied wing chief Nallan Dhanabalan said party members opined that the name change reflected Selangor government’s failure to protect heritage as well as its insensitivity to the area’s culture and history.

“It looks like elected representatives and local councillors are unable to voice this out for the people.

“Bersatu wants the name Padang Chetty retained, ” he said.