Pulau Jerejak never renamed Mazu Island, says CM

THE Penang Government has denied changing the name of Pulau Jerejak to Penang Mazu Island.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state had never approved any such name change as alleged by state Opposition Leader Datuk Jahara Hamid during the state legislative assembly debate on the Supply Bill 2014.

While debating the Bill, Jahara had showed a photograph of Lim with a committee member of the Mazu Temple, and her action irked Pakatan assemblymen.

She also brought out a printout of the temple’s invitation card dated Jan 1 this year, for a luncheon, which had the words ‘Mazu Temple at Penang Mazu Island’ stated in the card.

Jahara then asked the assembly when the island had been renamed.

R.S.N Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima), Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu) and Soon Lip Chee (DAP-Jawi) then stood up to ask Jahara to explain her intention in showing the photograph of Lim and the temple committee member.

“We want an explanation as to what you (Jahara) mean by that,” said Soon.

Jahara then staged a walkout with nine other Opposition assemblymen.

During a press conference later, Jahara said she was merely asking the state about the island’s development.

“I raised the matter as some people had referred to the place as ‘Mazu Island’, and claimed that an old leprosy detention centre was converted into a Mazu temple,” she said, adding that she had yet to visit the island and the temple.

“When Pakatan can accuse Umno and Barisan (Nasional) of all sorts of things, why can’t I raise a matter with facts?” she questioned.

At another press conference yesterday, Lim said he would comment on the issue only after he received a full report from the Land Office.