A PROPOSAL to rename a 300m stretch of road in Butterworth, Penang, has sparked debate over historical preservation and community identity.
The 155-year-old Thean Hock Keong Temple is seeking to reinstate the lane’s original name, Dragon Temple Lane, to distinguish it from the intersecting main coastal road, Jalan Pantai Bersih.
“It is confusing because two intersecting roads have the same name,” said Thean Hock Keong Temple secretary Kenny Ng.
His proposal drew objections from residents who argued that Jalan Pantai Bersih is deeply embedded in the community’s collective memory.
Ng clarified that the temple was not seeking to rename the coastal road, but only to restore the historic name of the short inland section.
“The backlash appears to stem from the misunderstanding that both roads would be renamed, which is not the case,” he explained.
Founded in 1871, the temple holds significant heritage value, with Dragon Temple Lane recorded as its registered address.
Ng noted that a resident born in 1963 had the lane listed on his identity card in 1975, showing the name remained in use at least until then.
As recently as 2023, government correspondence – including a letter approving nearly RM200,000 in restoration aid – recognised Dragon Temple Lane as the temple’s address.
Last week, locals staged a peaceful protest against the proposal, calling it unnecessary and insensitive in a Muslim-majority area.
The demonstration was led by Pembela, a coalition of over 50 non-governmental organisations.
Its Penang chairman Azmi Jaafar highlighted that 85% of Pantai Bersih residents are Muslim and urged the state government to consult the community and provide clear assurances that the coastal road would not be renamed.
He added that residents had no objection to naming a small lane beside the temple Jalan Tokong Naga (Dragon Temple Lane in Bahasa Malaysia).
Penang Heritage Trust president Clement Liang also called for wider public engagement.
“Renaming roads without consultation can spark unnecessary controversy.
“The authorities should conduct surveys to gauge public opinion and secure majority consent,” he said.
Liang cited Hong Kong Lane as an example – officially renamed Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze in 1992 but still commonly referred to by its original name.
He said that any proposal should be backed by historical evidence, such as old photographs showing original signage.
State infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari pointed out that Dragon Temple Lane was never formally gazetted.
“Some people born there have Dragon Temple Lane or Jalan Tokong Naga listed as their birthplace because “they wrote down whatever name they knew”.
“However, in truth, that short road was never officially gazetted,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow urged the public not to be swayed by misinformation.
“What is being considered is only that 300m intersecting road in front of the temple.
“The state has never considered renaming the whole of Jalan Pantai Bersih,” he said.
