SERIAN: A road here was officially named as Jalan Chung Hwa in honour of the local Chinese community here.
Serian MP who is also Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to East Asia Datuk Seri Richard Riot, who officiated at the unveiling ceremony, said he believed the name ‘Chung Hwa’ was most appropriate as Serian Division had many multiracial communities including the Chinese.
He pointed out that previously, two roads — Jalan Datuk Michael Ben and Jalan Pengarah Rahun Debak — were also named after famous Bidayuh personalities.
“Congratulations to the Tiong Hwa community in the Serian Division as we now have a road named Jalan Chung Hwa in Serian.
“I wish to congratulate the Serian District Council (SDC) for its efforts in getting the name approved by the state government,” he said in his speech after officiating at the unveiling of Jalan Chung Hwa opposite Serian Wet Market here yesterday.
Asked why the road was not named after a Chinese community figure, Riot explained it was due to the lack of outstanding or prominent individuals from the local Chinese community.
In acknowledging the presence of the multiracial communities here, Riot said more roads or landmarks should be named after local Malay and Iban figures.
“For the next move, why don’t we look for roads which can be named after Malay or Iban personalities?
“This is my earnest request. But of course, things like this will not happen in just a month or so. So think seriously about it as I am all for it,” he added.
