On the street where you live

The origin of Chinese road names in Kuala Lumpur 

By Sofea Ellyza Hazizaan@Izan

The streets of Kuala Lumpur hold stories of the city’s growth and the people who helped shape its identity. However, there is often little awareness or understanding about how many of the city’s Chinese road names came to be. Roads like Jalan Loke Yew and Jalan Yap Ah Loy honour prominent Chinese businessmen who were central to Kuala Lumpur’s early development. These names, though familiar, are frequently treated as simple markers, detached from the rich history they carry.

This disconnection has grown more pronounced with urban expansion and shifting communities, which gradually chip away at the shared memory of these figures. As Kuala Lumpur transforms into a modern city, the stories behind these road names are at risk of fading, leaving younger generations unaware of the people who helped build the city.

Research by Dr. Tan Miau Ing from the Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, is helping to change that. Her work traces the history behind the names and the individuals they commemorate. By recording and sharing these stories, her research connects today’s residents with Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural roots.

The study features individuals like Loke Yew, a successful entrepreneur who became one of the richest men in Southeast Asia, and Yap Ah Loy, often regarded as one of the founding figures of the city. These men played important roles in shaping Kuala Lumpur’s early years, and their names became part of the city’s physical and cultural memory. Yet their stories have slowly been overshadowed by rapid change.

Through her work, Dr. Tan helps ensure that these names remain more than just labels on street signs. By sharing their histories, the research adds meaning to places people pass by every day. It also supports cultural efforts like exhibitions and museum displays, encouraging greater appreciation for Malaysia’s diverse heritage. Her efforts act as a bridge between generations, making sure that the legacies of these early contributors are remembered.

Looking beyond Malaysia, other countries have also taken steps to protect the historical value of their road names. In Singapore, many public signs include translations in the four official languages—English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil—helping to preserve both linguistic and cultural connections. In London, the city has published guidebooks explaining the origins of its street names, some of which date back to Roman times. In the London A–Z Street Atlas – Historical Edition, for example, readers can learn about names like Knightrider Street, believed to come from 14th century knights who travelled along the route from the Tower Royal to jousting tournaments at Smithfield.

In Kyoto, Japan, history remains part of daily life—not only through street names that reflect former administrative districts, but also through the city’s enduring grid layout and its distinctive system of identifying locations based on intersections. These practices, from Singapore to London to Kyoto, show how cities can keep their stories alive through something as familiar as a road name.

Each street name tells a story about the people who lived, worked, and dreamed there. Learning these stories gives us a greater sense of connection to the places we call home. It reminds us that cities are not just built from concrete and steel, but also from memory and meaning.

As Kuala Lumpur moves forward, we must remember to look back. The road names we often overlook are part of the city’s heritage. By taking the time to learn their stories, we honour the people who helped shape our surroundings — and we carry those stories into the future.