Renaming KLIA may cause confusion
I DISAGREE with the view that renaming Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Sepang will benefit Selangor significantly (“KLIA to be renamed Sepang International Airport?” — NST, April 18).
I understand the argument that having the name of the airport’s location may make local places more known globally.
FIRST, I think KLIA has established itself as a face of Malaysia for decades. It has represented Malaysia well and allows more people to get to know our beautiful capital better.
Whenever people talk about Malaysia, they know Kuala Lumpur.
As Kuala Lumpur’s economy is connected to Selangor, I have seen Selangor benefiting from it.
We refer to this big area as Klang Valley. People living in Klang Valley, including foreigners, are so inextricably connected that I don’t see the issue of KLIA not benefiting Selangor.
So why should we do something unnecessary when KLIA is serving us well? Renaming it may confuse people.
SECOND, all international airports put the name of their capital first before the name of the location.
They understand that their capital will represent their nation better than putting the name of the airport’s location.
New York’s JFK Airport was named after former United States president John F. Kennedy rather than the name of the airport’s location.
As KLIA is doing a great job of promoting Malaysia, why don’t we keep the name and let its uniqueness serve us?
THIRD, I think we have other issues to worry about in Selangor, such as traffic congestion and public transport.
We should devote our time and attention to issues that affect our livelihood.