Penang: The Penang state government has clarified that a naming proposal affects only a 280-metre lane that branches off the main road in front of Thean Hock Keong Temple, and not the Pantai Bersih Road itself.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Public Transport and Digital Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who also chairs the Road Names Committee, addressed public concerns that the main road would be renamed 'Dragon Temple Lane.' Zairil explained that the name change request for the shorter road was submitted over a year ago by Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, in collaboration with the Thean Hock Kiong Association.

The proposal underwent the usual vetting process, including reviews by the State Geographic Name Technical Committee and the Road Names Committee. However, the decision has been postponed to 2024 for further information.

Zairil emphasized the confusion arose because two roads share the name Pantai Bersih: the main road, which stretches from the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) to Jalan Gangsa, and the shorter 280-metre branch road. He also clarified that the name 'Dragon Temple Lane' has never been officially gazetted or used in government documents but has only been informally used by the local community.

He suggested that a name like 'Jalan Tokong Naga' could be considered, as it reflects the historical and local identity, aligning with Malaysian geographic naming guidelines that require the use of Malay. Zairil highlighted that renaming a road is a complex process requiring the consent of local residents, consultations, and updates to official documents like ID cards and business addresses.

He also noted the significant role of the Thean Hock Keong Temple, established since 1951, in the naming process. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reassured the public that the name change only concerns the branch road near the temple, not the main Pantai Bersih Road, urging the public not to be misled by inaccurate information.

Previously, the Penang PKR Youth Wing (AMK) opposed a proposal by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng to rename Pantai Bersih Road to 'Dragon Temple Lane.' Residents of Pantai Bersih Road also planned a peaceful protest against the proposed name change.