PETALING JAYA: A choice to rename a number of streets in Kuantan bearing the identify of historic determine and distinguished businessman Wong Ah Jang has drawn the ire of a number of quarters.
Recently, mayor Razihan Adzharuddin stated that following a authorities decision, the sequence of streets named Jalan Wong Ah Jang 1 to five might be renamed Jalan Bunga Kemboja 1 to five.
The identify change course of was scheduled to happen all through the month of September, with street indicators and lane markings to be up to date.
Teruntum assemblyman and state government councillor Sim Chon Siang stated he deliberate to contest the choice on the upcoming exco assembly, as he was not knowledgeable in regards to the change.
“They (Kuantan City Council) stated that renaming the streets within the space was crucial for its development. However, I consider that development is feasible even with no identify change,” Sim advised eNM.
Sim stated he hopes to advise Pahang menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail towards altering the names of the roads.
Wong, who relocated from China to Kuantan aged 15, was a distinguished businessman within the Twenties. He initially labored in an iron mine earlier than capitalising on the booming rubber trade because the area’s first licensed rubber wholesaler.
He additionally initiated Kuantan’s first motorised public transport service and actively participated in neighborhood improvement. Being a profitable businessman, he was recognised with a number of awards for his important contribution to the area.
Wong additionally invested in actual property, together with a contemporary residence alongside Sungai Kuantan and a well-preserved constructing on Jalan Teluk Sisek. He died in 1929, leaving a legacy of innovation and neighborhood service.
Recently, a web-based petition was initiated to oppose the roads’ renaming, highlighting the necessity to protect historical past and its potential financial influence.
The signatories urged Wan Rosdy and the state authorities to reevaluate the choice, emphasising the worth of sustaining the historic names of the state’s streets.
In a remark left below the petition, one Kai Lit Phua pleaded with the Pahang authorities to not erase the reminiscence of an necessary determine in Kuantan and Pahang’s historical past.
“Instead, retain the identify of the street and think about establishing a Kuantan historical past museum,” stated Kai.
Another petitioner, Phua Kin Keng, recounted his deep familial and historic ties to the Kuantan area, spotlighting the numerous connection between the identify and the world’s wealthy historical past.
“The late Wong Ah Jang, along with my late grandfather and quite a few different distinguished people from Kuantan, have been steadfast supporters of Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tasim Billah, taking part in important roles within the development and improvement of Kuantan.
“Renaming the street threatens to eradicate over seven many years of historic narrative connecting Kuantan’s early developmental phases to its modern standing as a metropolis,” stated Phua.
Meanwhile, MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker criticised Sim for not adequately performing his obligations each as a state assemblyman and an exco member.
Ti accused Sim of avoiding accountability and pointing fingers at others as an alternative.
“Normally, if officers respect an assemblyman, they inform him earlier than executing such selections. Sim hasn’t met his duties, which is evident from his incapacity to interact in a dialogue with the mayor concerning this situation,” stated Ti.
