GEORGE TOWN: There is no need to rename George Town to Tanjung Penaga as the name George Town is known to Malaysians and all over the world.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the city was also listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.
"The international recognition confirms George Town's position as a leading tourist destination in Malaysia that attracts visitors from all over the world.
"The name George Town has been known worldwide for a long time and there are no issues regarding its name," he said when contacted today to comment on the call by Penang Pas to return to the original name of Tanjung Penaga which symbolises a 'Malaysian identity'.
Wong explained that the name 'Tanjong' was already named as one of the Parliamentary constituencies in Penang.
According to the Penang state government's official portal, before the name Penang became popular, the people of Seberang Perai identified Penang island as Tanjung Penaga after the name of the penaga tree that grows around Fort Cornwallis.
It is believed that the name or its abbreviation Tanjung is still used in land grants issued by the government until 1800.
The portal also said that the name Tanjung remains commonly used by the people of Penang and Seberang Perai when referring to the city of George Town. -- BERNAMA