Penang: The State Executive Council Meeting (MMK) has agreed to rename Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia as Jalan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and to fly the state flag at half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect for the nation’s fifth Prime Minister, who passed away on Monday at the age of 85.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow emphasized the significance of appreciating Tun Abdullah’s contributions, which brought impactful development to Penang during his tenure as prime minister from 2003 to 2009. Tun Abdullah named the township Bandar Cassia on August 24, 2004, and secured approval from the Federal Physical Planning Council through the Bandar Cassia Masterplan on October 26, 2004. The MMK later approved the use of the name for the new township in Batu Kawan on August 10, 2016.

Chow further stated that while all government and local authority premises statewide would fly the state flag at half-mast, non-government premises owners are also encouraged to do the same to honor Tun Abdullah. He remarked on the profound loss for the country and Penang, hoping that Tun Abdullah’s contributions would remain in the hearts of Malaysians and Penangites.

The Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, or the Second Penang Bridge, was highlighted by Chow as Tun Abdullah’s most significant “gift” to Penang, announced during the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Parliament in 2003. The bridge facilitated economic growth between Batu Maung and Bandar Cassia as a new industrial zone.

Additionally, Penang benefited from several projects under Tun Abdullah’s administration, including the first expansion of the Penang International Airport with an allocation of RM1 billion, the development of Penang Sentral with an allocation of RM2.7 billion, the Butterworth Outer Ring Road, and the Northern Corridor Economic Region.