By Aida Aziz
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has agreed to examine the proposal to use the original names of historically significant streets in Ipoh, which once earned the nickname “millionaire city” in the past.
This was acknowledged by the Mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, who believes that the proposal presented by a council member is a suitable initiative to ensure that the historical value is not lost.
According to him, this approach is similar to what is being done in Singapore to preserve local history.
“We will consider the proposal to use the original names of historical streets. The City Secretary will chair a meeting to discuss the proposal.
“The current names will be retained, but the original names will be placed in parentheses. We will study it further before implementation,” he said to reporters recently.
However, Rumaizi emphasised that the proposal needs to be detailed and thoroughly examined before being implemented.
Meanwhile, Wong Kar Keat, who is MBI’s Chief WHIP, explained that this effort is necessary to ensure that the younger generation does not forget their own country’s history.
“I suggest this matter be discussed in the Full Council Meeting.
“We will restore the previous names, such as what’s being done in Singapore; we want the public to remember the area’s history and to learn from it,” he said.
In the meantime, Nor Hisham Zulkiflee, the Secretary of the Perak Heritage Association, welcomed and agreed with the initiative when asked about the proposal.
He explained that many streets in this city, especially in Perak as a whole, have their own unique stories which are now not widely known.
He said that some local authorities in Malaysia have taken the approach of explaining the original street names along with descriptions, as seen in Muar, Johor.
“This is a good proposal, and our association has previously suggested creating a heritage trail in Ipoh, especially in Pekan Lama.
“Perhaps, as a pilot project, it can be implemented in Pekan Lama because it is a hotspot for heritage and tourism.
“Historical street names such as Jalan Dato’ Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab (formerly Club Road), Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), Jalan Dato’ Maharaja Lela (Station Road), Jalan Dato’ Sagor (Post Office Road), Concubine Lane (Panglima Lane), Jalan Tun Sambanthan (Hale Street), Jalan Sultan Yussuf (Belfield Street), and Jalan Bijeh Timah (Treacher Street),” said Nor Hisham.
