'Why target Port Dickson?', MB shoots down name change idea

'Why target Port Dickson?', MB shoots down name change idea


Published: Sep 10, 2025 6:15 PM
Updated: 9:21 PM


Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun has taken a swipe at several NGOs said to be lobbying for Port Dickson’s name to be changed to Pantai Dermaga in a bid to shed its colonial links.

“I was informed that several NGOs led by the Organisation for Identity Empowerment (Identiti), together with the Malaysian Muslim Solidarity (Isma), want to change Port Dickson’s name to Pantai Dermaga,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

However, the Port Dickson MP dismissed the idea as selective.

“For me, if you want to change names, then change all of them, not just Port Dickson. Change Port Klang, change Georgetown… why one by one, that will be slow,” he quipped after chairing the state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri in Seremban.

According to the Malay daily, several groups, including Identiti, the Nationalist Coalition, the Muslim Defenders Organisation and Isma, are reportedly planning to launch a public petition on the matter, arguing that the name “Dickson” carries colonial baggage.

In the last Parliament session, Machang MP Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal caused a stir when he cited a similar argument to propose that the government change the name of the Rafflesia flower.

Commenting further, Aminuddin insisted Port Dickson had long carried its own identity as a popular resort town.

“Why target Port Dickson? Since I was born, the beach has always been called Port Dickson. It’s already well known as a holiday spot.

“It’s up to them. I hear they want to hold a press conference. But for me, if you want to do it, do it nationwide. If it’s one by one, the mapping authorities will have difficulty managing it,” he said.

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Sokong, thus get rid of Arabic names (eg. Aishah, Zain, Zainal) and Jewish names (eg. Adam, Ishak, Yaakob) and revert to nama Melayu tulin (eg. Mayang, Tuah, Intan, Melati) 👍👍👍😀