Don’t differentiate between island and mainland

WITH reference to “Festivals with triple the fun” ( StarMetro North, Oct 4), it is puzzling why the state government would miss out on the opportunity to promote Penang as a state by downgrading what was initially known as AgroFest Penang to Seberang Perai Fiesta.

The three events that took place are related to agriculture, food and art. So, when this “agro expo” has become grander, why then miss out on the opportunity to promote it as Penang Fiesta?

There is no sense in downgrading it by using the term Seberang Perai Fiesta when the state govern- ment should grab this opportunity to promote Penang as a state that consists of both the island and the mainland (with due respect to the other smaller islands around the state).

I am sure many would agree that it makes more business sense and would be in the spirit of statehood to call it Penang Fiesta.

I am sure many would also agree that we do not want to set a precedent where any event that is happening on the mainland needs to use the term “seberang” instead of the name of the state, compared to any event taking place on the island.

All Penangites should realise there actually is no sense in calling our state Pulau Pinang when almost 70% of the state is on the mainland.

Our state should be just Pinang (Penang). The term Pulau Pinang should only mean Penang Island.

The mainland should be called Tanah Besar Pinang (Penang Mainland), and should not be referred as “seberang” (other side or across) anymore.

SANJAY CS, Founder, #UnityPenang