CALL TO NAME PENANG PARK AFTER LATE IDRIS
Public want a road named after him, but naming a park will be more ideal, says Penang exco man
THE Penang government will look into naming a park in the state after Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) founder, the late S.M. Mohamed Idris.
State Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said there had been numerous requests
from the public to rename or name a street after the legendary activist, who died last week.
“We took note of the suggestions, which need to be studied, since they were general in nature and no mention of which road to be renamed.
“However, I feel that naming a road after Idris is not what he may have wanted,” he told the New Straits Times.
Zairil said this taking into account that Idris had argued against building more roads up to his dying day.
“That is why I will not recommend it, but will instead look into the possibility of naming a park after Idris. Parks are not under my committee, but perhaps I can discuss further with Think City if they have any proposal,” he said.
Think City chairman Datuk Anwar Fazal, when contacted, said they would look into naming a park after Idris.
“He was passionate about planting trees. When he was a councillor back then, the Bukit Dumbar underground reservoir was built. He ensured that trees were planted there.
“I think the Bukit Dumbar Park will be a great place to remember his legacy, both about trees and water. Also it has a view of the sea and very appropriate as Idris’ ‘business’ was related to maritime,” he said.
Penang Heritage Trust vicepresident Khoo Salma Nasution said it was more appropriate to build or name a park in honour of Idris.
“Mr Idris did not like roads so it would be better to name a park after him, where the trees will never be cut down. Or even a coastal park which will never be destroyed by reclamation,” she said.
Known for his trademark songkok and white beard, Idris died at 93.
One of CAP’s notable achievements under Idris was the formation of the Department of Environment (DoE) in 1975.
It was CAP’s pressure and work on environmental issues that became instrumental to the formation of DoE.
The Penang Hill project that was cancelled in 1991 following the rejection of its environmental impact assessment by the DoE was another success which helped protect one of Penang’s watershed areas.
His other achievements included the labelling of expiry dates on food products, banning of cigarette advertisements, improving benefits for workers in Social Security Organisation and Employees Provident Fund, as well as improving protection for tenants and house buyers.
Despite his advanced age and ailing health, Idris continued to remain active by taking up various causes and issues.
In recent times, he had protested against several major developments in the state, including the Penang Transport Master Plan and Penang South Reclamation.