Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I have not heard the word referendum and Malaysia in the same breath so far. Is it the first time in the last 30 years? Hope someone can clarify.
Anyway, Perak will be holding a refererendum to decide if Jalan Silibin be renamed to Jalan Patto. I hope the referendum is conducted so that we can see what the Ipoh people think. Don’t cancel it due to some reason or another.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced that a referendum would be held on whether the road should keep its name or be changed to honour P. Patto, the late DAP stalwart.
Nizar said the referendum would be organised by state executive councillor A. Sivanesan, and the state government would abide by the people’s decision.
“The state government will abide by the people’s stand.
“The referendum will gather everyone’s views rather than a small segment of city dwellers.”
Numerous groups have protested against the move, forcing the state government to hold the referendum.
Several state DAP leaders, including Sivanesan, had remained steadfast in their campaign to rename Jalan Silibin, despite increasing dissent from businesses and residents.
Ipoh Barat member of parliament M. Kulasegaran said a survey conducted by DAP members revealed that 70 of the 100 respondents had agreed to the proposal.
The DAP vice-chairman and local councillor added that many residents were agreeable to the renaming of the road when he met them personally.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday, Kulasegaran along with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, said the road had no historical significance.
They said it would be fitting to rename the road after Patto as he was a former MP of the area.
Kulasegaran said DAP had not made a final decision on the issue and was still gathering feedback.
He said DAP would organise a public consultation session through the Ipoh City Council next month.
What do you think? Are referendums good? Should the public be exposed to all possible data/information before referendums so that they can make a better decision?
yes..they should in the event public interest is in concern…