Jalan Silibin to Jalan Patto

The Editor
> New Straits Times
> Kuala Lumpur.
>
> Sir,
> As the controversy regarding the change of Jalan Silibin to Jalan Patto continues, it is well for councillor Kulasegeran ( also MP - Ipoh Barat) to bear in mind that the DAP was vociferous in its condemnation of the very same thing that the previous BN government did.
>
> It was not that many years back when Ipoh City Council had to reverse its decision to rename Jalan Foo Chong Kong, Jalan Tabung Haji because of public protest. On that occasion at least, the government took heed of the public's feelings and left the old name intact. For the present authorities to say that they will go ahead with renaming the road despite public outcry, is arrogant in the very least and smacks of the double standards that this government is becoming known for during the short time it has been in power.
>
> I have no problem with naming a road after Patto. He deserves to be honoured, although as another writer (Mariam Mokhtar) rightly pointed out that perhaps we can name parks etc after our citizens who have rendered public service. Be that as it may, if one has to name a road after someone why not name a new road - there are new roads built everyday. This way the public will not have to bear the inconveniences and expense of a name change and the history of the existing roads will not be lost.
> Ipoh lost much of its link with the past when some of its main thoroughfares were renamed viz Brewster Road, Hugh Low Street, Thompson Road etc.
> Taiping seems to have solved the problem of renaming roads. In Taiping the public is told what the renamed road was formerly known by.
>
> It is time that guidelines be set for naming roads so that those in power do not abuse their positions to name roads after people on their party list or to name roads simply to curry favour from royalty or businessmen who have contributed to their party's coffers. And what is wrong with naming roads after trees, or flowers or animals? At least no one can complain about favouritism then.
> One guideline which we should all keep to is not to rename roads or use the Taiping solution.
>
> Politicians must not think that naming roads is a prerogative of theirs which cannot be challenged. The PR Government has sold itself as a "listening" government. It is time they start listening to the public.
>
>
> Yours truly
> Yin Ee Kiong
>
> A02-12 MarVista Resort
> Tg. Bungah
> 11200 Penang.