KOTA SAMARAHAN, Aug 10 2026: Indigenous rights activist Peter John Jaban has asked Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (KSMC) to restore the name Merdang in place of Bandar Riyal.
He said Bandar Riyal does not reflect the actual identity of the Merdang area.
“We, the indigenous community of Merdang and supporters of cultural heritage, wish to express our serious concerns regarding the renaming of the area, roads, lanes, bazaar and market in Taman Samarindah, which we believe has gradually undermined and overshadowed the original name and identity of Merdang,” he said in a letter to KSMC.
“Let us be very clear that we are not against development. We welcome development.
“However, we object to any process that results in the original name and history of Merdang gradually being erased from official maps, records and the memory of future generations,” Peter said.
“In view of these growing concerns, the indigenous community of Merdang is making preparations to hold a peaceful and orderly street protest in the near future to voice our objection to the erosion of the name and identity of Merdang.
“This protest is not intended to oppose development or to target any individual. Instead, it is the voice of a community demanding that Merdang be recognised, Merdang be preserved and the original name of Merdang be respected,
Peter said.
He called upon the authorities and the Municipal Council to take the community's concerns seriously before the planned protest takes place.
“We also call upon the indigenous community, local residents and all those who value history and cultural heritage to support this effort peacefully and responsibly,” he said.
He stressed that one important fact that cannot be ignored is the existence of Sungai Merdang, pointing out that there is Sungai Merdang, but there are no Sungai Samarindah and no Sungai Bandar Riyal.
