BUTTERWORTH – Thean Hock Keong Temple has moved to clarify public confusion surrounding its appeal to restore the historic name Jalan Tokong Naga or Dragon Temple Lane, stressing that the proposal involves only a short stretch of road directly in front of the temple and does not affect the main Jalan Pantai Bersih.
In a statement, the temple said claims circulating on social media that it had applied to rename the entire 1.1-kilometre Jalan Pantai Bersih in the Bagan area were inaccurate.
“The name Jalan Pantai Bersih will remain. Our request only concerns the original name of the small lane in front of the temple, measuring less than 300 metres,” said Thean Hock Keong secretary Ng Choong Seong.
He explained that the remaining section of the road approximately 800 metres will continue to be officially known as Jalan Pantai Bersih, as it has always been.
According to Ng, long-time residents in Bagan would recall that the road segment facing the temple was historically referred to as Jalan Tokong Naga, a name closely linked to the temple’s identity since its establishment in 1951.
Thean Hock Keong is a legally registered and historic Chinese temple, and the third-largest in the Bagan area.
Ng said the proposal to restore the original name for a limited section of the road is aimed at preserving local heritage rather than altering existing road identities.
“The intention is to retain historical and cultural elements associated with the temple and its surroundings, not to replace or override the name of Jalan Pantai Bersih,” he said.
Ng also clarified that the proposal would only affect four premises, two belonging to Thean Hock Keong, another Chinese temple, and the Bagan Ajam Volunteer Fire Brigade and does not involve any residential areas.
“All the premises along this lane are non-Islamic, and the proposal will not cause confusion, inconvenience, or discomfort to residents or the wider public,” he said.
He added that the name Jalan Tokong Naga has been officially recorded in the temple’s registration documents since 1951 and is supported by several historical government records that have previously been submitted to the Penang state government.
Following public discussion on the issue, the Penang state government also issued a clarification, reiterating that there is no plan to rename the main Jalan Pantai Bersih.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the matter under consideration only concerns a small lane near the temple and does not involve the primary coastal road that stretches along Pantai Bersih.
“The state government has no intention of changing the name of Jalan Pantai Bersih. What is being reviewed is a limited proposal involving a small lane in front of Thean Hock Keong Temple,” he said.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari explained that the lane in question is not clearly named in official records and has historically been referred to by locals as Dragon Temple Lane, contributing to misunderstandings.
He said any proposal to formalise a road name must go through established procedures, including technical review and engagement with stakeholders, before a final decision is made.
Zairil also stressed that no decision has been reached and that the state government will continue to balance heritage considerations with public interest and existing guidelines on geographic naming.
For now, both the temple and state authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid speculation, emphasising that the proposal is limited in scope and rooted in heritage preservation rather than wholesale renaming. -MalayaDailyToday
