Penang stakes claim to word ‘Penang’

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GEORGE TOWN: The state government has laid exclusive claim to the word “Penang”, saying those wishing to use it should first get its permission.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the move was to avoid confusion among the people who attended or sponsored certain events carrying the Penang prefix thinking that it was organised by the state government.

“I want to make it very clear that the word Penang belongs to the state government, and we have the sole authority to decide whether it can be used,” he told a press conference after presenting prizes to the winners of the Penang Postcard Competition at KDU here yesterday.

Citing an example, Lim said it was “wrong” if a magazine which was registered under a certain company, used Penang as a prefix in its title.

Asked about state beauty pageants, Lim said the organisers had a registered trademark and permission to use the word.

“For example if it is the Sin Chew Jit Poh Penang story-telling competition or the Penang Hokkien Association singing competition then it is fine as they are organising the events in Penang.

“But if the event is called the Penang Singing Competition but it is not organised by the state then it is wrong,” he added.

Lim added there had been incidents where the people donated money for functions using the Penang prefix thinking that it was linked to the state government.

On functions or events pertaining to tourism, Lim said the people should consult with the state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law.

In an immediate response, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said it was a wrong move.

Dr Teng, who is also state Gerakan chairman said it would be tedious for the state exco to have to vet through a long list of people or companies wishing to organise events or programmes every week.

“It is ridiculous for people to get the consent from the state for each programme to be held.

“Does it mean that the people cannot organise a contest that says Penang Football, Penang Badminton, Penang Colouring or Penang Oldies?” he asked.