Question of identity politics – is re-naming of colonial era road names necessary?

Question of identity politics – is re-naming of colonial era road names necessary?






THE Selangor Gazette recently shared a list of street names from colonial era Malaya on Facebook.


Being part of everyday vocabulary back then, older citizens are bound remember the likes of Campbell Road (now Jalan Dang Wangi) and Gurney Road (now Jalan Semarak), to name a few nostalgic names.


In fact, some names have survived through regular usage and still referred to by their British names. For example, some people still refer to the luxury enclave of Bukit Tunku as Kenny Hill.


For many, however, the re-naming of these roads, streets and byways is an exercise loaded with identity politics.

Nama-Nama Jalan di Kuala Lumpur Sebelum Merdeka

1) Jalan Raja Laut = Broadrick Road
2) Jalan Cheng Lock = Foch Avenue
3) Jalan Dang Wangi - Campbell Road ...

See more

4.7K

386

1.8K

For some, it is imperative that Malaysia re-claims its sovereignty and dignity from past colonial masters. Such British monikers are but a painful reminder of a shameful past.

For others, it is a timely reminder of the history of the nation. After all, once cannot forge an identity if one is clueless from where one originated from.

There was a lively debate around this topic as reflected in the comments to this post.

One commenter suggested sign boards where local names bear larger fonts but the old colonial names are kept “in smaller text”.

He argued that without the infrastructure of the colonialists, it was unlikely the country would be where it is now. Such signs that recognised the past was a good way for future generations to learn the nation’s history.



A few agreed with him by alluding to the fact that there is more to identity politics as it could also be a tourist attraction for visiting British tourists.



However, the suggestion was shot down by a few who thought it foolish especially when the country has established its own identity. What more when such idea is mooted by a fellow Malay!



Using South China Sea as an example of a foreign power encroaching onto local borders, one commenter went on to warn that it all started with naming rights before various ownership claims start to surface



One lamented that the prevalence of English-named addresses shows that Malaysians have not shaken off their colonial chain.

Moreover, he claimed that the national language should be given prominence when the reality is that he got mixed up with names of commercial buildings or high-rises.



Of course, racist remarks are never far away, regardless of the topic. It was no different here as some used the name of George Town in Penang as an example where local culture was subsumed by foreign elements. This was, of course, all the fault of the DAP!



One netizen, though, nailed it on the head when he stated history has so much to teach us if only we are able to view things minus political or nationalist baggage.



Main image credit: Selangor Gazette/Facebook