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14 June 2005

Datuknametoolongitis

I suffer from an incurable disease. Its called Datuknametoolongitis.

Datuknametoolongitis is typically characterised by the sufferer's inability to remember people's names in full, especially that of the Datuks. At best the sufferer can absorb the first three syllables of the name. Anything after that becomes pure gibberish.
kch

Jalan Datuk what-what-what?

Kuching, my hometown, is a city that discriminates victims of Datuknametoolongitis, like me. I'm saying that because 70% of the roads here are named after famous people, most of whom are Datuks, some of whom have unfortunately very very long names.

Many years ago I remember studying at a Chinese Primary School along Pineapple Road, not too far from Palm Road. I remember a Jalan Keretapi (Train Road) near Wisma Saberkas. There's even a oddly named Jalan Central Barat (Central West Road), which is a strange fusion of Malay and English words.
kch

Jalan Rambutan. One of the few old road that retained its name. No there's no Jalan Coconuts.

I then travelled to Perth Australia where I stayed for eight years growing accustomed to road names like Hay Street where I do my shopping, and James Street where there's good bubble tea, great coffee and fantastic pubs at night. The longest road name I've came across is probably Sir Charles Court Promenade, which is more of a walkway on campus than a road.

And then I return to Kuching. And I experienced reverse culture shock.

There are some changes with Kuching that I can put up with. Then there are some that I cannot.
kch

One road, two names. One new, one old. Kinda defeats the purpose of changing its name isn't it?

Gone was Jalan Central Barat, its now Jalan Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui. Gone were Palm Road and Jalan Keretapi, its now Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce.

I have nothing against their names. I don't even know who the heck they are. But I'm sure at one point or another probably they did something so magnificient the city council decided to name a road after them. Then another. And another. And one more. Then another...

As if remembering long and complicated names wasn't difficult enough for sufferers of Datuknametoolongitis like me, I was further punished by having to differentiate between two almost similar road names.
kch

Two roads, similar names. But the difference is day and night.

Its not that I didn't try remembering the names. Believe me, I tried. Its very difficult to know the names by heart. One trick I find very useful is to associate the road name with food.
kch

kch

Doing so helps me remember long road names, but makes me hungry very easily.

Its too bad some road names are a bit too long for me to use that trick.
kch

Umm... Jalan Murtabak?

Then they start naming the roundabouts after these famous people.
kch

Try reading them double fast without pausing.

How bad can this get? I thought those were the worst, I have no idea.

Until I came face to face... with The Mother of All Long Roundabout Names.





kch

DOUBLE the "Datuk", DOUBLE the "Abang Haji", DOUBLE THE OOMPH!!!

Its not true what they said about Sarawakians living on trees you know. That's not what we're famous for.

We're famous for giving road directions to tourists.

Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim.

The library is just on your left. Any questions?"

Angmoh tourist:
"Huh?"


:: Posted by Kenny at 12:58 AM | Link | Facebook It
:: Categorised as 'Distinctively Kuching' | 'Favourite Entries'

135 Comments:

The Majlis Perbandaran Kuching sure got nothing better to do. -lol- Even roundabouts are given names. Strangely, I don't see that in Malacca or my hometown - Tampin. Heh~! I wonder if there's any roundabout named after Sultan of Brunei. The name of the sultan is freaking long, about 20 words if not mistaken.

Posted by: Jason at 14 June 2005 1:04 AM | Link to comment

ROTFLMAO! Thank you for making me proud to be a Malaysian.

Posted by: Hsin at 14 June 2005 1:09 AM | Link to comment

Wah.... lucky I dont live or drive there , by the time I read those signs I would have crashed into them

Posted by: romantic at 14 June 2005 1:18 AM | Link to comment

Wah... heng i lived in Singapore and now the UK, where road names have always been simple, apart from French name roads... at times pronouncing it makes me Salivate so much i practically spit/shower the listener as i pronounce.

Posted by: Colin at 14 June 2005 1:26 AM | Link to comment

Waliew!!! With road names as long as this, who needs maps?! No space liao!
What for name roads so long?! So hard to navigate?! Puiz! But hor, at least Kuching's signages are more obvious and prominent than in frigging Johor. No signs or rotting away behind a tree. Got lost so many times. ARGH!

Posted by: barffie at 14 June 2005 1:29 AM | Link to comment

LMFAO. I'M SPEECHLESS. ROTFLMFAO!!

Posted by: Silencers at 14 June 2005 1:34 AM | Link to comment

goddamn.. didn't know kuching has such kick ass road names... *laughs*

on another note, jalan teh o peng n mana laksa rawks. the should be roads named after malaysian food instead of dead people with names so friggin long, nobody bothers to remember them, hur hur hur...

Posted by: seth.frostheart at 14 June 2005 2:04 AM | Link to comment

Kenny..Kenny... Remind me not to stray into your blog in the wee hours of morning. I laughed so hard, my dad woke up, eyes half-opened, yet he looked armed-n-ready to fight off whatever 'being' that disturbs his family. All he saw was my silhouette against the flickering comp screen. Tsk..tsk...

I'm Malay and I sure am struggling with all those blardee long, inhumane names. I personally think that it's very cruel of the city council to torture the residents with such nonsense. Heh.

But then again, do you consider submitting this to the Guiness World Book of Records for the longest (and probably most complicated) name for a mere roundabout???

Posted by: ct at 14 June 2005 2:19 AM | Link to comment

Hey!! dint know u stayed in Perth for so long. Indeed i dread going to malaysia because the road names are always so long and difficult to remember

-sporean studying in perth-

Posted by: kalos at 14 June 2005 2:22 AM | Link to comment

And here I was complaining abt unoriginal names that are pretty damn comfusing... like san jose street in san francisco... california street in chicago....

After reading this, I have come to my senses. Better confusing-but-short names than the kind you mentioned here.

Maybe you should take gingko biloba pills for your condition. =)

Posted by: gracie at 14 June 2005 2:45 AM | Link to comment

LOL. Nice entry!

Weird road/street names man.

Wonder how those cab drivers gonna suffer.

Now i feel fortunate staying in Singapore.

Posted by: Lexandria at 14 June 2005 2:46 AM | Link to comment

Nice post.

But by the way, what does an ang moh tourist want to go to a library for?

Posted by: uzyn at 14 June 2005 3:01 AM | Link to comment

Goodness gracious me. I can't recall bumping into a street / road with a name longer than three syllables for a long time, and that's a good thing in my opinion. Nice and simple does it.

Posted by: elb at 14 June 2005 3:32 AM | Link to comment

omg kenny, i just love your site, was recommended it by a friend!!

and yes i totally agree with the road names, it can be so confusing (although i have never seeen that long names before, kuching must be a tough place to live in)

keep up the good work, and thanks for making me smile!

Posted by: ash at 14 June 2005 3:43 AM | Link to comment

ROFL hahahahahhahahaha... Thx Kenny, I just woke up and the first thing is to check ur site out! HAHA... I know i'll have a great day... Super Funny Post! Kenny I LOVE YOU la~ I'm from JB studying in Melbourne, glad JB's road name is not that bad. ;]

Have a nice day, Kenny and Kenny's Fans~!
Kwang

Posted by: Kwang at 14 June 2005 6:28 AM | Link to comment

omg, that last one is unbelievable!!

Posted by: Anantya at 14 June 2005 7:45 AM | Link to comment

hi kenny thanks for stopping by my site... really la... name so long for what purpose??

they could have split up the guy's name & his dad's name (surname) to name 2 separate roads if both had made some contribution to the city's development. otherwise just use the first name.

i think if i ever go to kuching, i'm going to have a major headache with the road names. thanks for the advance warning... i shall remember to bring along my panadols :D

Posted by: lynnee at 14 June 2005 7:55 AM | Link to comment

you forgot to mention that some roads are related to each other, eg: jalan ong tiang swee and jalan ong kee hui (cant remember if they have datuk or tan sri... really, can you blame me?)

Posted by: vanessa at 14 June 2005 8:09 AM | Link to comment

haha i cant remember those name either. jus gimme landmark and ill be fine. usually SHOPPING places =p

mmm the name of my lorong is

JALAN DURIAN BURUNG = JALAN DURIAN BIRD?

huh?

Posted by: chriszie at 14 June 2005 8:35 AM | Link to comment

Haha..I'm a Kuchingnite and I also notice these weird roundabout names in out Kuching City North for quite sometimes. Finally someone is there to point out this ridiculuos way of naming the roundabouts. But the one that caught my attention is the Mother of all Long Roundabout Name, with our Sarawak Parliament Building behind. Should have entered M'sia Book of Record, since Malaysians always aim to break some funny funny records.

Posted by: NiuNiu at 14 June 2005 8:42 AM | Link to comment

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

Posted by: Sashi at 14 June 2005 8:54 AM | Link to comment

Hahaha...My home in Johor is actually at Jalan Rambutan :)

Posted by: nicktay at 14 June 2005 8:58 AM | Link to comment

Studying & working in Kuching for 5 years already and I don't even know the name of the roads.Can't bother to remember the names.
So I just sort of memorize the routes as in destinations and how to go there. Heheh..

Posted by: Chris at 14 June 2005 9:10 AM | Link to comment

dude,

i am so impressed.. seriously. i have forgotten how funny our street names are sometimes. but hey, sounds like you're doing well. and my brother and i spent about 15 minutes laughing at your posts. keep it up, this will be my blog to check every morning when get up.. joanne

Posted by: GossipQueen at 14 June 2005 9:35 AM | Link to comment

i meant blog to check every morning when I get up.. :) heh

Posted by: GossipQueen at 14 June 2005 9:37 AM | Link to comment

Oh my freaking goodness!!! Who remembers those names man!!!!

I think people merely travel the roads by heart. Like I do actually. =P Though Singapore street names are pretty much simpler, the amount of time you take to learn all of them is horrendous. A 10m road can even have a name by itself!!! So what I do is I recognise landmarks. *grins*

Like your Jalan Mana Laksa and Jalan Teh O Peng. =)

Posted by: geroithe at 14 June 2005 9:49 AM | Link to comment

Hahaha... this is super funny!

Keep those funny post coming!!!

Posted by: sky_boi at 14 June 2005 9:53 AM | Link to comment

hahaha... luckily the roads in Brunei that named after famous people are short like Jalan Elizabeth III, Jalan Ong Sum Ping and so far no Datuk roads kekekeke...

Posted by: Blu3qu3en at 14 June 2005 10:17 AM | Link to comment

Hahahahh! Gawd! This is badddd! Freaaaakin loooooong... *suprise*

Posted by: Jase at 14 June 2005 10:18 AM | Link to comment

Kenny, you're such a big muthafucka!!

Taib Mahmud should have read your blog, probably he might replace the mother of all long rounabout names to "Jalan Kennysia Dua Dua Ki".

LOL!!!!!!

Posted by: mageP23 at 14 June 2005 10:19 AM | Link to comment

I think when they grant someone datuk-sheep, it's in the intro package that some road or other will be named after you.

Posted by: honeypot at 14 June 2005 10:22 AM | Link to comment

holy cow! those are really the longest road and roundabout names i've ever seen, man!

at first i was like... 3 words only, what? and when it comes to the motherly roundabout... lmao

i wonder if those council people remember all the road names...

and what's the point of changing road names :/ it will still be the same road, prolly less traveled now coz people would be sooo turned off by its name XD

Posted by: ceres at 14 June 2005 10:28 AM | Link to comment

Muahahahhaha!!!! That's why I never go to remember the road name. I would say "Just give me which famous building nearby you". Kihkihkih...

Posted by: fish fish at 14 June 2005 11:43 AM | Link to comment

So kewl man, just love visiting your site bro, kewl effort, thinking of us all

Posted by: Steven Ultra Bell at 14 June 2005 11:45 AM | Link to comment

Lol!!! You've hit the nail on the head. I never bother with road names back home, and Jalan Keretapi will always be Jalan Keretapi to me. But I agree that giving directions is a pain in the ass. I got lost in Kuching city south before because of the crazy road names (and all were named after someone too).

Anyways, Kuching has some pretty interesing road names. There's a whole series of Jalan Kaloi, Tilapia and Barracuda or something like that along Damai.

Posted by: cynical-idealist at 14 June 2005 11:49 AM | Link to comment

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’Izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’Adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and The Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam

This is the Sultan of Brunei's name. :P Imagine a roundabout with that name.

Posted by: Jason at 14 June 2005 11:57 AM | Link to comment

Hrm, i'm pretty sure that most of the roads here in m'sia are named after famous ppl, like in KL its all named after someone. But then talk about LONG names...i've never seen road names that long ever!!! And malaysia receives yet another bragging rights...WOOT!!!

Posted by: Jetyr at 14 June 2005 12:08 PM | Link to comment

I was home(Kuching) for holiday, before I went out to the town, I pulled out a map, pen and paper, wrote down all names of those roads.... and while driving, kept looking at my notes, ...

Posted by: Blackwidow at 14 June 2005 12:27 PM | Link to comment

i had to stop myself from laughing out loud in the office!! WAKAKAKAK damn funny! the funny part is... you actually took all the pictures of all those street names!! man i dread going home. why cant they have street names like here. ahahahha....

Posted by: Feli at 14 June 2005 12:33 PM | Link to comment

Hey dude, who remember's all teh street name? My mom's direction to our house: " Behind 兩毛錢". ( yes that big tacky house)

Posted by: e at 14 June 2005 12:57 PM | Link to comment

LOLz... Yeah, I agree... Blardy long names they are... Sometimes people give me directions to places like that then i'll be like, ermm... and people will end up saying, "How can you don't know?? Kuching ciak tua still don't know... Aiyooo...."

Posted by: annabella at 14 June 2005 1:15 PM | Link to comment

It’s more than the length of the street name. The Egyptian has the pyramid, the French has the naked stature, Stanford had The Stanford University, one of the best in the world and the Kuchinese has the fanciest street name.

Take your pick! All these supposedly-people-representatives want be remembered well the legacy they leave behind, and I happen to believe it’s a good thing if that is what motivates them to do good for the people. Slapping together a road sign with enough letters to wrap around a round-around is not exactly building a pyramid. Something we obviously can afford and very good at. It’s just an inconvenience for out of town tourists but they shouldn’t be here in the first place in my book. Actually the road signs kind of serve that purpose well, thanks to our datuk and datin. For the locals, tell me if anyone actually following those road signs going to the state library?

Whether these big shots deserve a 2-foot versus 5-foot road sign is another story entirely. I would say those reverse-Robin Hoods should have at least a 6-foot sign that said “I built this millions dollars mansion while I have my hands in the cookie jar” in their front yards.

Posted by: Pope at 14 June 2005 1:16 PM | Link to comment

ha....4got that the road names in kch are ridiculously long...and don get me started with roundabouts. i think i gave up remember roundabouts which names are too long years ago....n just referred them to 'that roundabout at bla bla bla.' and so on.

so far here in brissie...the longest road name that i have encountered is Sir Fred Schonell Drive....sighz why cant kch road names b this simple :p

Posted by: Justina at 14 June 2005 1:36 PM | Link to comment

this is a side-track here... though, anyone noticed the resemblance btw kenny and singapore's adrian pang??

Posted by: shao at 14 June 2005 1:53 PM | Link to comment

The should rename a street in my honour. how cool would Jalan Project 8555 sound?

heheheheh

*revs engine*

Posted by: 8555 at 14 June 2005 2:16 PM | Link to comment

if you marry xiaxue and come & live in SG, you will not have such problems again

Posted by: dawnie at 14 June 2005 2:18 PM | Link to comment

Muahahaha...the last pic champion leh..Kenny, can understand why u suffering from this illness.i oso suffer from 1. it's called ITidiotitis....LOL

Posted by: curious george at 14 June 2005 2:42 PM | Link to comment

Kenny, this is creepy. I blogged about two of the road names before... (check your mail)

Posted by: NSDS3HvLDjJd at 14 June 2005 2:50 PM | Link to comment

abdul is 鸭都??

Posted by: jkaiser at 14 June 2005 3:02 PM | Link to comment

i like how u connect road names with food. hahaha my favorite is jalan mana laksa!! ur brain works in weird ways indeed...

Posted by: cheneille at 14 June 2005 3:37 PM | Link to comment

Mystery: What the hell is Cheng Ho doing in Sarawak?!

Posted by: NSDS3HvLDjJd at 14 June 2005 3:46 PM | Link to comment

Kenny...You're da man! I laughed non-stop reading your post.

Posted by: Aileen at 14 June 2005 4:00 PM | Link to comment

Boy am I glad PJ uses numbers - the longest road name I've come across in my short life is Jalan P.P. Narayanan (aka Jalan 225).

I was laughing my head off reading all those road signs...

Posted by: synical at 14 June 2005 4:47 PM | Link to comment

Names of Road and roundabouts , also can play, play..
damn cool and good.... non-stop ROFL....
I wonder what's next.

Posted by: jacking at 14 June 2005 4:50 PM | Link to comment

speechless really.. the bulatans' names r ridiculous!!

n i like that conversation at the end of the post.. so funny!! haha!!

Posted by: Crazy at 14 June 2005 5:02 PM | Link to comment

next time don't be surprise if a bulatan's name become as long as it goes round the bulatan. :)

Posted by: lucia at 14 June 2005 5:22 PM | Link to comment

roundabouts have names?..gee..i nvr knew..

Posted by: Gambs at 14 June 2005 6:00 PM | Link to comment

WAH!! confusing!! Anyway, I am finally leaving a message here. Nice funny blog. Good to see a fellow Malaysian having a great blog that can rival those of Singaporeans. :)

Posted by: Kev. at 14 June 2005 6:23 PM | Link to comment

Hehehe - a good reason why I didn't drive while I was in Kuching... *sweats*

Posted by: cfgt at 14 June 2005 6:25 PM | Link to comment

hehehe.. i've seen this before in kuala lumpuer

Jalan Maharajalela ( old name - Jalan Birch)

it's unfair. not only dato maharajalela took birch's live, even his road..... hahahah

i wonder if we have Jalan Tok Janggut ( old name Jalan Sarjan che wan)......

... what's next? datuk bahaman? rentap?

Posted by: u238 at 14 June 2005 6:36 PM | Link to comment

Fuck i never knew such a dumbass long name for a roundabout existed. Ridiculous. But you made it funny so in a way, i will actually look at it with a bit more credibility now - provided some laughter.

Posted by: Joyce at 14 June 2005 6:54 PM | Link to comment

Insanity, that is!

Posted by: hejin at 14 June 2005 6:54 PM | Link to comment

hahaaaaaa lol

Posted by: ahlian at 14 June 2005 7:52 PM | Link to comment

kenny sia, i just love reading abt the things you blog about. rock on, dude!

Posted by: mungyo at 14 June 2005 8:22 PM | Link to comment

lol~
Kenny, this entry is freaking hilarious... You sure are an entertaining one!!

Posted by: StaRm|sT at 14 June 2005 9:01 PM | Link to comment

..............i used to think my neighbourhood was so tacky as to name their roads with colors like Jalan Biru ,Hijau, Kuning etc etc....

now you just made me feel very very grateful...

Posted by: hankyo at 14 June 2005 9:08 PM | Link to comment

Impractical lengthy names of places. Is it a Malaysian thing ?

Probably.

Posted by: macdyne73 at 14 June 2005 9:26 PM | Link to comment

omg! luckily singapore doesn't have such long road names. else, i'll be at a loss of directions.

Posted by: Claris at 14 June 2005 9:35 PM | Link to comment

I remember the directions well...but not the road names. I know all the shortcuts around town, but I would hv no clue what roads they are. eheh.

Posted by: Mirei Antonia at 14 June 2005 10:05 PM | Link to comment

malaysia boleh!!

Posted by: cccp at 14 June 2005 10:56 PM | Link to comment

Unberfukkinglievable.

Posted by: Kakashin at 14 June 2005 11:00 PM | Link to comment

at least the names are different..

come over my place and u'll get jalan woods , lebuh woods , persiaran woods , etc etc etc..

drive into the next block and then u'll get jalan papan , lebuh papan and persiaran papan..

we probably ran out of names..again..not like my place is huge..so *shrugs*..

and i bet that guy with the long-ass name was called abang haji..or even only haji all this while..

Posted by: Annie at 14 June 2005 11:08 PM | Link to comment


Eh I seriously don't know how to reply to 72 comments lah. :/ You people are too kind. You're not ignored of course! I do read all the comments, so thanks for bringing me sunshine. :)

And obviously I was making fun of the angmoh tourists asking for directions. Its true that to us Kuching people, these long road names are as good as nothing. Like many Kuchingnites have commented, we give directions based on landmarks that's all (eg. Behind this shopping centre. etc)

NSDS3, thanks for the link. Petrajaya is notorious for that eh?

curious george, stop being so hard on yourself leh.

dawnie, are you still hoping that I'd marry xiaxue? Oh my.

synical, SPEAKING OF ROAD NAMES IN PETALING JAYA! Mannn all these SS 15/2 or something. The last time I was in PJ, I thought I was at the library or something. I know its numbers as road names means that its easier to navigate. But ughhh. Numbers?!

Posted by: Kenny at 15 June 2005 12:04 AM | Link to comment

Hah! Born and bred in Kuching but never noticed the bulatan's names. Probably was a good thing too. Funny post, man. See you at the PPS bash.

Posted by: joyce at 15 June 2005 12:08 AM | Link to comment

dis is hillarious! muahuahuauaahuahua.. funny.. ;p

Posted by: via at 15 June 2005 12:31 AM | Link to comment

Quite so. Although I would say that your direction to the library is wrong ;)

Speaking of which, there's no Jalan Coconut BUT there is a Jalan Nyiur! It's between the Central Barat-Timur traffic light and the temple, near the shops.

Posted by: NSDS3HvLDjJd at 15 June 2005 12:47 AM | Link to comment

you from chung hua no 4? you are!

Posted by: slpbt at 15 June 2005 12:54 AM | Link to comment

Yeah all those goddamn long names annoy me.

Dahlah I have no sense of direction, and I consistently fail sejarah.

Posted by: Lainie at 15 June 2005 1:45 AM | Link to comment

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA omg..

Classic!

Posted by: st@r at 15 June 2005 2:20 AM | Link to comment

just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >just realised how dumb some of those ppl are for giving the roads such long names o_O

"Angmoh tourist: "Excuse me, how do I get to the library?"

Local Sarawakian: "Oh that's easy! From here, go along Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, turn right at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman and drive until you reach Bulatan Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali Bin Abang Akip. Do a 3 o'clock towards Jalan TunKU Abdul Rahman, make a left at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and drive until you reach the roundabout at Bulatan Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleiman Bin Haji Taha. Exit at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, then turn left at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. Soon you'll reach Bulatan Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh, where you should turn into Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin until you arrive Bulatan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Bin Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mohammad Kassim."

lol a kchgian like me can't even remember all that >

Posted by: Girl at 15 June 2005 4:43 AM | Link to comment

I know - I don't use road signs in PJ, I'm more of a landmark person; which doesn't work too well driving in downtown KL (I've found myself lost on numerous occasions with the unreliable road signs and the one way traffic down there >P)

What other alternatives are there to numbers and bloody long names? Pictures of animals or fruit like in some parking lots, haha.

Posted by: synical at 15 June 2005 10:55 AM | Link to comment

last time i read the guiness record book, malaysia got the most longest company name in shortform (e.g. GE-Great Eastearn), the record holder have his company in shortform consisting 20+ characters?!

Posted by: Kenny Lee at 15 June 2005 12:21 PM | Link to comment

LOL! That's hilarious! You're the man! Keep up the good work, dude! Maybe, we should call the roundabout, a "Wonderabout"! I believe a lot of newbies will lost and start wondering there in the circle. I just hate roundabout when u know there's a better solution called "Traffic Light". Some roundabout are rediculously huge. I don't mind given that land to build my house with a football field + many extras in there. ;P

Posted by: g0ldf1n93r at 15 June 2005 1:22 PM | Link to comment

Malaysia Boleh!

Posted by: CED at 15 June 2005 10:56 PM | Link to comment

confusing confusing....how r the goit to write the add on an envelope..they either have towite it real small or get a bigger envelope..

Posted by: RAY@NYC at 15 June 2005 11:43 PM | Link to comment

Kenny... using numbers as road names is very common. Especially in N.Y. (5th Ave? 34th St?) and D.C and San Francisco.... in fact, D.C. uses letters of the alphabet to name their roads (J St, K St) It makes life for people with no sense of direction alot easier, especially if they are all parallel to each other :)

So eventhough the SS##/# and USJ## don't make sense geographically, it's easier to remember than royalty names that most people can't even pronounce.

Posted by: Hsin at 16 June 2005 2:16 AM | Link to comment

Ooh, I sound like a grandma nagging. My bad :P

Posted by: Hsin at 16 June 2005 2:17 AM | Link to comment

hie first time here.

It sure was hilarious..the names.. Some sounded familiar, somewhere deep down in my history textbooks but are oh, so long that i even had problems remember them then. HAHAHA.

Hmm with such long names wouldn't ir be hazardous for drivers to drive & at the same time read/differentiate the loooong names?

Posted by: munyee at 16 June 2005 2:10 PM | Link to comment

Hi, first time to your site and this post had me laughing and laughing. :)

Posted by: ws at 16 June 2005 8:38 PM | Link to comment

You people give names to roundabouts?

Posted by: madder at 17 June 2005 12:44 PM | Link to comment

at least they're kind enuff to give such a blardy long name to a roundabout coz nobody remembers them anyway.... :D

Posted by: suave at 17 June 2005 11:22 PM | Link to comment

GOOD JOB!
i wonder if the government will read this... ;)

Posted by: malaysian at 19 June 2005 9:08 AM | Link to comment

hahahz...i'm a kuchingian too...studied in ur sch before too...and it's cool too notice such cool things about kuching...two thumbs up dude...

Posted by: Nick at 23 June 2005 6:11 PM | Link to comment

hey thumbs up to u kenny! that was wayyyyy funny. i never realised that until i stumbled across your webpage hahaha i've been there a few times and maybe one day i'll take pics next to one of those roundabout signs ;P

Posted by: jessie at 24 June 2005 2:55 PM | Link to comment

hey thumbs up to u kenny! that was wayyyyy funny. i never realised that until i stumbled across your webpage hahaha i've been there a few times and maybe one day i'll take pics next to one of those roundabout signs ;P

Posted by: jessie at 24 June 2005 2:56 PM | Link to comment

Haha, it's so funny, I got this in an email and I had to look for the orginal post. I think at those roundabouts in Kuching I'll have to make 3 circles b4 I can fully read the names. Even at PJ roundabouts sometimes I have to go round it twice.:P

Posted by: pixie at 24 June 2005 5:01 PM | Link to comment

thanks a lot, kenny! maybe we can make tourist attractions of kuching quirks - and there are many.

Posted by: hornbill at 26 June 2005 8:11 PM | Link to comment

boo!

Posted by: stephaniemeiyu at 26 June 2005 10:53 PM | Link to comment

this is funny... very very funny! Love this man!

Posted by: -kawaiiplue- at 26 June 2005 11:04 PM | Link to comment

hmm y u so free? for my 10 years digital photo editing experience, all is fake edited photos.

Posted by: kenzo at 27 June 2005 11:04 PM | Link to comment

hmm y u so free? for my 10 years digital photo editing experience, all are fake edited photos.

Posted by: kenzo at 27 June 2005 11:05 PM | Link to comment

To Kenzo,
in Kenny's defense, not all the pictures are edited. The long names of the roads are real, especially the "mother of all long roundabout names"-I work near that area so I see it everyday.
Well a little bit of "bo liao" adds spice to our life, don't you think? Not that Kenny is bo liao la.

Posted by: miracle8 at 28 June 2005 3:59 PM | Link to comment

miracle8: Wah...you work near that area?! Do you explain to people how they can get to your workplace?

I feel sorry for Kenzo somehow...After 10 years of experience!! Man...

Posted by: desperate addict at 28 June 2005 5:31 PM | Link to comment

Desperate addict,
No I don't explain to people how to get there. Its not a tourist area. Its easier to remember the names of the buildings because thats what you will see on the road signs leading to the place anyway.

Posted by: miracle8 at 30 June 2005 8:40 AM | Link to comment

Damn it !!! What the hell is wrong with all this long names? Are you trying to make Malaysian people proud and hopefully we can remember them for as long as we can? What about those angmoh tourists? They will DIE of remembering this names before arriving their next destination. It will probably take them ages just to go to one place or another.

Like this, when it's time for departure back to their homeland, they are still searching for the place. Hell man, change the names...

Posted by: wnka at 01 July 2005 3:52 PM | Link to comment

Aiyo... plausible larh hahahahhaa
Actually, these names were suggested by the History Assocation, Sarawak Branch. I think they're gonna 'datuknametoolongitise' all the road names, according to them, to 'remember' the jasa of those peeps... well... ain't know if anyone wud remember any of such...

Posted by: Amao at 04 July 2005 9:53 PM | Link to comment

Kenny,

The roundabout is the one near Dewan Undangan ah? Why I never see before one? Anyways, what's new back home? Have been hearing lots of things here in KL, pls update me (by email pls).

Posted by: mystic at 06 July 2005 10:18 AM | Link to comment

Quote: "Humans remember names better than numbers." Kuching gov thinks that it's better to have long names than numbers, so there you go.

In KL, it's all numbers. From SS1/1 to SS100/100. May as well give IP addresses to roads like 192.168.1.38!

How about voting Kenny for the next election? :-D

Posted by: Nelson at 13 July 2005 5:12 PM | Link to comment

home equity line of credit http://www.home-equity-line-ofcredit.com

Posted by: home equity line of credit at 15 July 2005 9:05 AM | Link to comment

haha...i don't bother with the names...didnt even notice that it's no longer jln keretapi....wtheck not?! rubbish la....the roundabout names? absolutely insane, and i must clarify, ONLY in dbku area...lol...
i remember landmarks. 'neh...grand continental hotel..then next door got used-to-be-fabulous-laksa-now-sucks-like-crap kinda thing. :D

Posted by: Carol at 27 July 2005 12:11 AM | Link to comment

whaahahahahaa!!! rolling down the floor with this entry!!!!

Posted by: butterspot at 01 August 2005 9:25 PM | Link to comment

Hi Kenny,
I'd like to address a couple of matters. Not so much matters as statements and questions, really.

Firstly GOOD ON YOU for making this blog the way it is, I can't remember the last time I had to laugh so hard, as well as for having the "Malaysian"ness of your blog.

and a coupple of questions:
1. May I link your blog?
2. Are there protocols in the blogosphere to follow, i.e: if/when someone wants to link his/her blog to another blog or webpage, is formal permission required, or is it simply the common courtesy of asking?

cheers Kenny!

Posted by: mick at 05 August 2005 9:08 PM | Link to comment

Re - your reply: thanks!

Posted by: mick at 08 August 2005 7:57 PM | Link to comment

cool was on Star papers on Sunday

Posted by: cheryl at 08 August 2005 9:30 PM | Link to comment

proud to be sarawakian....

Posted by: sepuk at 09 August 2005 12:49 PM | Link to comment

don't you ever come back... will be waiting
some excerpts from Sarawak Talk

"Kenny Sia is bloody Idiot, he thought he is so smart.

Wait lah, wait and see, we know how you looks like so dont let us see you ANYWHERE. You better prepare Kenny Sia"

"Kenny Sia is still a baby!!!!

He obviously still has a pacifier in his mouth, day n nite. Well, he wrote the stupidest article I have ever read in my entire life, "Jalan Datuk What What What?" published on August 6, 2005 in The Star. Who ask you to remember the road names? If you think they are TOO TOO long, return to Kuching. Stay in ur EVERYTHING-IS-GOOD-IN-PERTH cozy home for the rest of ur damn life. You are not praising Kuching road names, in fact, you are humiliating our City. Get back to ur Mama's arms, and have a pacifier stuck in ur mouth FOREVER!!!

I know your UGLY face!!! Watch out when walking at nite!!! Better be home by 8pm coz Mama is waiting ......

Hey boys n gals, check out his website www.kennysia.com & u know what Im talking about. His website shows it all!!!! "

Posted by: of all things sarawak and proud of it! at 10 August 2005 11:56 AM | Link to comment

THIS GUY IS JUST TOO FUNNY....HAHAHA

Posted by: poohwini at 10 August 2005 3:14 PM | Link to comment

Ridiculous, how the authorities are so into the names of these famous people and actually name the WHOLE name in these road signs..

Posted by: nixon at 11 August 2005 3:23 PM | Link to comment

Wow, didn't know such road names exist!

Posted by: shooting star at 22 September 2005 10:41 AM | Link to comment

I received a link to this particular blog entry from a foreign consulate to Malaysia a couple of weeks back. Just absolutely love it! Linking it up on my blog site. :)

Posted by: CYBERQT at 26 September 2005 8:16 PM | Link to comment

I am not against roads and roundabouts or buildings being named after anyone, but long names are hard to read and harder to remember. Names like "Palm", 'Rubber" or "Green" is excellent for naming road. Since Kuching is a Garden City or trying to be, then perhaps the roads should be named after flowers and birds.

Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 26 October 2005 12:28 PM | Link to comment

Sarawak has an interesting mixed up history which the "kids" today doesnt know. N too bad Tampin isnt a nice name after all, no offence but im just saying it honestly.
"Abang" is not a title which is from Bruneian and Melanau blue blooded men.LOL~
F.Y.I. "Abang" comes from the Javanese Royalty name.
So, please change who ever blog and don't humiliate us, the locals, by putting that wrong information about "Abang" title.
N lastly, the cab drivers in Kuching, theyre surely know where to go because theyre sarawakians. LOL~ n please don't compare Sarawak to Singapore or any other places, theyre obviously different!N each has its unique elements.
Kind Regards.

Posted by: a blue blooded sarawakian at 30 July 2006 6:29 AM | Link to comment

The association of the name with the food part was really funny.
was feelin kinda moody before but that cheered me up a notch. Thanks Kenny!!!

Posted by: ms.troubled at 02 September 2006 2:08 AM | Link to comment

Datuk Maharajalela - Freedom fighter or slave trader?

The Golden Chersonese
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext02/gctwt10.txt

The slaves of the reigning princes were
very easily acquired, for a prince had only to send a messenger bearing
a sword or kris to a house, and the parents were obliged to give up any
one of their children without delay or question. In debt slavery, which
prevails more or less among all classes, and has done a great deal to
degrade the women of the Peninsula, a man owing a trifling debt
incurred through extravagance, misfortune or gambling, can be seized by
his creditor; when he, his wife, and children, including those who may
afterwards be born, and probably their descendants, become slaves.

Pejuang kemerdekaan dan bangsa, atau penjual hamba?

Posted by: James Birch at 08 September 2006 7:57 PM | Link to comment

Idiotic local authorities who have way too many datuks and desire to have their name somewhere...anywhere .... next thing you know,they would name the public toilets after datuks .... like the toilet behind Electra House ... Tandas Awam Datuk Patinggi Tun Taib... crap and more crap indeed... sigh !!

Posted by: Wyatt at 12 October 2006 12:02 PM | Link to comment

Walao, juz found out that quite some of the road names in Kuching are the same as those in my town --Sibu. Pretty confusing, eh?

Posted by: caryn at 12 January 2007 4:37 PM | Link to comment

hey, dat's my ancestors name! watchout ya'll, dun mess wit us!

Posted by: N uk at 13 January 2007 10:51 AM | Link to comment

OMG, and that is my line of history's names. I blink-blink my eyes just readin em. Hahahaha..

Posted by: dnahk2483 at 13 May 2007 1:15 AM | Link to comment

Kenny! ur so funny!!! i love you!

Posted by: snowy at 23 May 2007 11:19 AM | Link to comment

haha.....why ahh??...thank god KL is easier.
hehe.

Posted by: mequeen at 10 July 2007 4:09 PM | Link to comment

yea man, none of that shit here in oz

Posted by: Andy at 20 July 2007 8:10 PM | Link to comment

I'm stay at kuching 35yrs, but i dint realise that our roundabout got name. really funny. laugh until mau mati liao......hahahahaha

Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 07 August 2007 6:10 PM | Link to comment

yeah...that's why I nvr bother to remember road name either...usually I'll ask for building or landmark. The name too long sometimes i can't recall...

Posted by: JinHan at 13 August 2007 5:01 PM | Link to comment

kamek suka your blog * lol *

Posted by: eqa at 07 November 2007 4:16 PM | Link to comment

Best of the best entries exclusively by Kenny Sia

Posted by: shawn at 02 April 2008 1:33 PM | Link to comment

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