KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — The roads here are steeped in history, playing a crucial role in the development of the country and its capital.
Despite their significance, their names — much like the development that takes place — continue to change.
In 2008, it was reported that over 500 roads in the city had been renamed since 1980.
A few famous roads in Kuala Lumpur yesterday were officially given new names for at least the third time since they were opened.
The roads include:
● Jalan Ipoh
This road got its name as the only road leading out of the city towards Ipoh. The road is part of Federal Route 1, the first and among the oldest federal roads in Malaysia, being the only trunk road that enabled transport of tin supplies between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. On a side note, the design of the Ipoh railway station looks strikingly similar to its counterpart in Kuala Lumpur — a display of the close ties between the two cities.
● Jalan Duta
Jalan Duta was formerly known as Guillemard Road, which is situated off Guillemard Hill (now known as Bukit Ledang). It was named after Sir Laurence Nunns Guillemard, a former governor of Straits Settlements and British high commissioner to Malaysia during the time of the British Empire.
● Jalan Mahameru
Jalan Mahameru, which is part of Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1, was formerly known as Swettenham Drive. Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham was the first resident-general of the Federated Malay States. For his efforts in linking Klang and Kuala Lumpur by rail to ease transport of tin ore, a port which sat at the end of the rail link was named Port Swettenham (now known as Port Klang).
● Jalan Semarak
Jalan Semarak was originally known as Jalan Henry Gurney. The road was named in honour of Sir Henry Gurney, who was British high commissioner to Malaysia when he was killed by Malayan Communist Party insurgents in Fraser’s Hill. Four roads in Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as a town (Pekan Gurney) in Perak, were named after Henry Gurney.
