Where in the world is Pantai Dermaga?
Yet another proposal to change the name of some town in Malaysia has popped up.
This time, the target is Port Dickson, and Pertubuhan Pemerkasaan Identiti, an alliance of Muslim and nationalist groups, wants it to be called Pantai Dermaga.
Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun was quick to dismiss it, pointing out that the town is already recognised as a prominent beach resort and its name carries “a distinct identity known to locals and tourists alike”.
But for the proponents of the change, it is the only way to discard the last vestiges of the colonial era.
The Indian government cited the same reason for renaming Bombay as Mumbai in 1995, but the moniker “Bollywood” still endures, perhaps for the better.
Somehow, “Mullywood” does not inspire the same romance or dance moves, nor does it have the same ring to it.
There have been several attempts to do the same in Malaysia, some successful, others quickly forgotten.
In 1967, Jesselton became Kota Kinabalu. Few,…
