KUCHING: A bridge, road or an underpass in the city has been considered for renaming after former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away on Jan 11, 2017.

This was disclosed by Datuk Bandar of Kuching North City Commission ( DBKU) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai when asked if the city hall was supportive of any effort to name a road or a bridge after Adenan.

“In fact, this ( the naming of a road after Adenan) is being looked into. At the moment, being considered is a bridge, an underpass or a road.

“The decision will be finalised by the special state committee for naming of roads, rivers, etc,” he said when contacted recently.

Wahap said there were a few bridges and roads in the city that were yet to have a name.

Mayor of Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) Datuk James Chan also said he is supportive of any move to name a road after Adenan.

“It is fitting to name one of the roads in Kuching after Tok Nan (Adenan). The legacy of Tok Nan should live on as he was loved by all irrespective of race and religion in Sarawak.”

He said Adenan had fought for Sarawak’s autonomy besides having defended the rights of all Sarawakians.

“He (Adenan) is still very much in the mind of Sarawakians especially on things he did and said, which people accepted them so willingly.

“For his wisdom and tact in managing Sarawak to a higher level of racial tolerance and unity, it is fitting to have a road named after him - a leader deserved to be remembered,” said Chan.

He, however, said he was not certain whether MBKS was the right authority to recommend a name.

According to him again, the process of naming roads was quite straightforward. Whoever proposed a name would have to submit the proposal to the State Geographical Naming Committee for deliberation and approval.

“If there is such a road naming proposal to the late Tok Nan’s name, I will support it as MBKS mayor,” said Chan.

The State Cabinet has of late approved the renaming of Jalan Pedada in Sibu to Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai in recognition of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai’s tremendous cont r ibut ions to Sibu and Sarawak.

Dr Wong, who passed away on March 22, 2017, was deputy chief minister and the third president of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

He was also the first Sarawakian to graduate as a surgeon in Britain in 1959.