Highway to be renamed Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in honour of ex-PM

GEORGE TOWN: The 5.5km Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia in Batu Kawan will be renamed Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in honour of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced the decision in a statement today, saying it was a tribute to the late Abdullah's contributions to the state during his tenure as prime minister from 2003 to 2009.

"The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge was the greatest gift of the late Tun Abdullah to the people of Pulau Mutiara when he announced the project in his speech in tabling the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Parliament in 2003.

"As a result, the second bridge has boosted economic growth between Batu Maung on the island and the development of Bandar Cassia in Batu Kawan as a new industrial zone.

Chow also highlighted that Tun Abdullah officially named Bandar Cassia on Aug 24, 2004, with the name formally endorsed by the state government on Aug 10, 2016.

“To ensure his legacy endures, the state government has decided to rename the Bandar Cassia Highway as Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” Chow said.

He added that under Abdullah’s leadership, Penang benefited from several major initiatives, including the RM1bil expansion of the Penang International Airport, the RM2.7bil development of Penang Sentral, the Butterworth Outer Ring Road, and the establishment of the Northern Corridor Economic Region.

"Tun Abdullah’s passing is a profound loss for the nation and especially for Penang. May his service and contributions in developing the country and this state always remain in the hearts of all Malaysians and Penangites," said Chow.

As a mark of respect, the Penang state flag will be flown at half-mast on Friday by all government agencies and local councils, Chow added.

Private premises have also been urged to do the same.

A native of Penang born in Bayan Lepas, Abdullah, who was popularly known as Pak Lah, passed away at the age of 85 on April 14.