Loke unveiling the road sign for the renamed Jalan Dr Chen Man Hin while Khong (on his left) looks on.
BUSY Jalan Temiang in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, has been renamed Jalan Dr Chen Man Hin to honour the contributions of the former Seremban MP.
The unveiling of the new name for the 3.38km stretch was done by Seremban MP Anthony Loke.
He described Dr Chen as not only a well-known political figure during his time but also a doctor who provided free treatment to the poor.
“The decision to rename this stretch is to remember and recognise the contributions of Dr Chen, who served in Seremban for five terms.
“He was a well-respected and loved man and many old folk still remember him for his contributions,” said Loke.
Also present at the ceremony were Dr Chen’s wife Khong Swee Bee, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and party veteran Lim Kit Siang.
Dr Chen, who was co-founder and lifetime advisor of DAP, died on Aug 17 last year at the age of 98.
He was first elected Rahang assemblyman in 1965 and served his constituents until 1982.
He also won the Seremban Timor parliamentary seat in 1969 and was Seremban MP from 1974 to 1982 and from 1983 to 1990.
Loke said it was apt to rename Jalan Temiang after Dr Chen as there were many associations and schools along the stretch that had benefitted from his contributions.
Dr Chen had continued treating his patients even in his twilight years.
“Dr Chen also fought for the squatters who used to live in Ulu Temiang.
“He may have been a moderate and soft-spoken person, but he was always firm in his decisions,” he said.
Loke said Dr Chen also continued to practise medicine to serve the people even when he was already in his twilight years.
He said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun had recommended Dr Chen for a state award previously but he had politely declined it.
Loke thanked the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir for giving his consent to rename the road.
Dr Chen’s son, Dr Christopher, thanked the state government for the gesture.
“Apart from the time he studied medicine at University Malaya (in Singapore then), Seremban was his beloved home and he never considered living anywhere else regardless of the many difficulties.
“He married a Seremban girl, my mother, raised five children here, built a medical practice and served the people of his hometown, home state and home country,” he said.
Dr Christopher said his father would have declined to have a road named after him.
“But he would have agreed that Jalan Temiang was an appropriate choice.
“Down the road is the Moi Kong Clan Association, which he was a lifelong supporter, the Chi Hwa primary school where he served as a board member and squatters in Ulu Temiang for whom he fought to obtain fair compensation,” he added.
Negri Sembilan urban well-being, housing, local government and new village committee chairman Teo Kok Seong said Seremban City Council had initially proposed Jalan Labu Lama to be named after Dr Chen.
“The Jalan Temiang stretch starts from the Jalan Tun Dr Ismail traffic light junction to the roundabout leading to the Seremban-Kajang Highway.
“The Jalan Labu Lama was from Taman Ko-op junction until Persiaran Industri Galla 1 junction,” he said, adding that the state executive council eventually decided on Jalan Temiang.
