Guys, this is it. Do you agree or diagree? This is your opportunity to express how you feel about the name change. If you feel strongly about this subject, email your all friends this link. Don't just vote, write something in this thread. Make your opinions known. Who know's, perhaps by sheer numbers and comments, we can change the world. Malaysia has done it before.

I would like to thank asian-malaysian and boolicious (her post dated 20th October) for their posts on the Jalan Alor name change. I feel very sad and disappointed that the name was changed in haste and without (what I think) careful consideration.

There may be strategic to change it to Kejora but I going to refrain from going into a sentiment based discussion on this. But I feel that from a national interest standpoint, Malaysia has more to loose by renaming this famous street.

1. Jalan Alor is not a just a street. It is a street with national importance to our country's tourism industry.

3. Why? Street food in Asia is becoming one of the major points of interest for tourism, gourmet travel and food programming on a global scale. And Jalan Alor sits on one of the top spots in this category. Jalan Alor has been referenced in many major book and tv programmes as the place for food in Malaysia.

3. So, by rebranding Alor to Kejora, we are loosing tens of millions of ringgits in brand asset that is already tied up with the brand name "Jalan Alor". This is like renaming Coca-Cola or IKEA or PROTON to another name. It can be done, but what good does that do? It is very hard to rebuilt a good brand name loke Jalan Alor.

4. And, tourism is also indirectly related to foreign investments into the country. Which is why the government is keen on promoting tourism in Malaysia. As we can see, Singapore is very aggressive in promoting and positioning Singapore as a tourism destination. This not only brings tourist to their country but they are also eyeing potential investors. Malaysia is doing the same as well.

I can see why changing the name from Alor to Kejora will make the streets along the Bukit Bintang area more in confirmity with the surrounding streets which I think will be renamed soon. It is indeed beautiful to have street names that conforms...

BUT the million dollar question is, for the price of street confirmity which affects only the area, are we losing out on the bigger picture which is a good position in the world gastronomique map that is well sought out after by countries like Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand? Because once we have this position, people will flock to Malaysia to eat, invest, dine, spend, learn to cook. Take a look at France, Italy, Japan. See what I mean.

To many well renowned chefs and restaurateurs around the world, Malaysian cuisine/food is the new Thai.

Just my thoughts.

I definitely do not agree to the name change. Jalan Alor is already famous on its own and is much more easily pronounced (and remembered) by tourists as THE food destination. It would be a shame to lose that identity.

The Foodster - 22 October 2008 10:05 AM

Guys, this is it. Do you agree or diagree? This is your opportunity to express how you feel about the name change. If you feel strongly about this subject, email your all friends this link. Don't just vote, write something in this thread. Make your opinions known. Who know's, perhaps by sheer numbers and comments, we can change the world. Malaysia has done it before.

While I think the poll is a great idea, I think it still may be good if we can have some kind of online petition that could be sent to the authorities and perhaps even reported in the press. I know alot of famous people have already voiced their protest of the change of name but we are at a unique point in time when foodies and food lovers can actually have voice in the media. In recent times, food blogs like this have gotten a lot of media coverage with some food reviews being quoted practically verbatim from food blogs. It would be great if that new found voice could be used to preserve this particular aspect of Kuala Lumpur's colourful culinary heritage. What do you say, guys? Lets earn that TimeOutKualaLumpur Hero for Food Award!

It would also be great if the other food bloggers would follow boo_licious's lead and post an article on their food blog about this matter. The more eyeball time the story has on the internet and kept in the public's eye, the better the chances of success for any drive to have the road name reverted to its original form.

Maybe you can consider that this thread as an online petition? You vote for what what you believe and in this case have an avenue to state your case. Let's put everyone's opinion on a single platform and a single discussion thread. The thing is, it can only be powerful when more people vote and write about what they feel on this thread. When we have the sheer numbers, then the other media might just pick this up. But we need the numbers first. I'll try to give the papers a push to write about this.

Ok. Thanks a lot for your help in this matter. It will be very sad if the situation proves irreversable. I'll do my best to spread the word out about this poll and thread.

If DBKL wants to rename Jln Alor to Jalan Kejora, I would like to suggest they change thier name to Dubious Bunch of Kronies and Losers (OK I know cronies is spelt with a C and not a K but couldn't find anything appropriate for K lah) ! D

BKL has been ruling KL with an almost autocratic hand with scant respect for the rakyat's opinion. Let's kick the Mayor and his bunch of cronies out of office. Stay away from Jln Alor. Foodies will defend the name with chopsticks and forks in hand !

If you have a facebook account, please join this group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39675787639

and invite your facebook friends to do the same. Ive posted a thread there asking members to come here and vote. Every little bit helps.

Today its official! Jalan Alor is saved! Thanks to all the people who voiced opposition to the change of name. Here's the news story from The Star website

"Confirmed: Jalan Alor remains, no name change

KUALA LUMPUR: Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan confirmed that the “Jalan Alor” name will be retained after meeting with the Federal Territory-Kuala Lumpur road-naming committee.

He said the committee was aware of the signficance of the name to the people, businesses and tourists.

The name Jalan Alor has been in existence for 35 years, but earlier this month Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) announced the street was going to be re-named Jalan Kejora.

The decision to rename the road was planned three years ago, with other roads in the Bukit Bintang area in KL to be renamed after planets to create a new image.

However, the move sparked complaints, with traders and residents of Jalan Alor embarking on a signature campaign to protest the change.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique was understood to have been against the move after listening to feedback from the public, but said the decision would lie with the mayor."

Power to the people ! Makkal sakthi !

That is wonderful. Accidental or not, the whole name-change-event has brought more colour and appeal to Jalan Alor. Now that news about Jalan Alor has spread throughout the globe in support of the name stay, I hope that more people will come to Malaysia. We should make Jalan Alor one of the Food Streets of the World.