ALOR SETAR: An attempt to name a mini stadium in Padang Terap "Ffira Mikah" has been thwarted by the Kedah state government.
However, not before the signage of the name had gone up at the stadium with photos of it having gone viral on social media.
The "Ffira Mikah Mini Stadium" had sparked controversy as it was alleged to be an inverted spelling of Padang Terap district officer Hakim Ariff Md Noor's name.
State Health and Local Government committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said they were not aware the mini stadium had been named as such until it drew criticism from the public yesterday.
"I was surprised when I found out the (new) name, we were not informed on the proposed name as it was under the jurisdiction of the Padang Terap district council (PTDC).
"By right, we should not use such names as people may have a negative perception, but I consider the issue has been solved as it will be renamed after this," he told Berita Harian when contacted today.
Dr Mohd Hayati said the local government has been advised to use names of historical figures in the district or names of individuals that had contributed to replace the current name.
Since yesterday, Hakim Ariff became the subject of criticism after Malaysians found out that the newly built football stadium had been given the name "Ffira Mikah".
Located in Kuala Nerang, the stadium is under the purview of the PTDC and was officially launched by Hakim Ariff on Dec 7 after upgrading works were completed.
It is understood that the stadium's name signage has been removed today and it is expected to be known as the Kuala Nerang Mini Stadium.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Hakim Ariff denied that the mini stadium was named after him.
He claimed that "Ffira Mikah" has nothing to do with his name and the fact that it was Hakim Ariff spelled backwards was purely coincidental.
"It is not related to my name, there is a meaning behind the name, it was nominated during an administrative meeting.
"In Spanish or Greek, 'Ffira' means something great, while 'Mikah' is the name of an angel in Arabic," he said.
He claimed the name was picked in hopes of attracting the public's attention after the stadium's upgrading and rebranding.
"I am not after glamour, I want Padang Terap to be cleaner and better, I don't want the district to remain the same, they have made accusations without knowing the real story.
"I was the one that requested for an allocation of RM200,000 from the state government to upgrade the stadium that was dilapidated before this."