PENANG RENAMES ROAD TO JALAN TUN ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, TO FLY FLAG AT HALF-MAST ON FRIDAY - CHOW

GEORGE TOWN, April 16 (Bernama) -- The State Executive Council Meeting (MMK) today agreed to rename Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia as Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and to fly the state flag at half-mast on Friday (April 18) as a mark of respect for the nation's fifth Prime Minister, who passed away on Monday at the age of 85.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the matter was of utmost significance in appreciating the services and contributions of Tun Abdullah, who had brought impactful development to the state throughout his tenure as prime minister from 2003 to 2009.

"Describing it as a township symbolising Penang's future, Tun Abdullah named it Bandar Cassia on Aug 24, 2004 and obtained approval from the Federal Physical Planning Council (MPFN) through the Bandar Cassia Masterplan on Oct 26, 2004.

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"The use of the name Bandar Cassia as a new township in Batu Kawan was later approved by the MMK on Aug 10, 2016.

"As such, the state government wishes to preserve the legacy of Tun Abdullah by renaming Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia to Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” he said in a statement today.

Chow also said that while all government and local authority premises statewide would fly the state flag at half-mast, owners of non-government premises are also encouraged to do the same as a mark of respect for Tun Abdullah.

"The passing of Tun Abdullah is a huge loss for the country, especially Penang. May all his services and contributions in developing the country and this state always remain etched in the hearts of all Malaysians and Penangites,” he said.

Chow also described the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge as Tun Abdullah's biggest "gift” to the people of Penang when he announced the project when tabling the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) in Parliament in 2003.

He said the second bridge accelerated economic growth between Batu Maung (on the island) and Bandar Cassia in Batu Kawan as a new industrial zone.

 He added that apart from the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge and Bandar Cassia, Penang also benefited under Tun Abdullah's administration, including the first expansion of the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) with an allocation of RM1 billion; the development of Penang Sentral with an allocation of RM2.7 billion; the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR); and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

-- BERNAMA