IPOH: After all the hue and cry, the family of P. Patto has asked that the proposal to rename Jalan Silibin in honour of the late DAP leader be withdrawn.

His widow and two daughters took a swipe at the media and those who "belittled" him at a news conference at Perak DAP headquarters yesterday.

With S. Mary and her daughters, Shaalini Ane and Kasthuriraani, were DAP national vice-chairman and state deputy chairman M. Kulasegaran, DAP national Youth head and state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming, state assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar and other DAP state assemblymen.

Mary said: "We want a stop to the whole issue. Do not attack us, do not tarnish his name. We've had enough. It's an insult going after a person who had sacrificed for the people, including 18 months of detention in 1987 under the Internal Security Act.

"Because of the criticism and uproar, we have decided to reject the offer to rename Jalan Silibin as Jalan P. Patto.
"We thank Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and DAP leaders who took the initiative to honour my husband. We leave it to the state and party to decide the next course of action.

"We receive with an open heart the majority of the people who are in favour of honouring my husband. And to the minority group against it, we are not surrendering, we have nothing to lose."

On reports that Patto was not seen in his constituencies, Mary said: "You cannot expect him to check drains. He was a national party leader and had a responsibility to travel throughout the country."

Saying that she was taken aback by a lawyer's statement that he did not know who Patto was, she added: "We want him to be remembered as a humble and simple man. He told us he left his good name and did not seek honour."

Shaalini said: "My father's struggle was not superficial. He fought for all races. Why did the media pick the minority who are against the renaming of the road? What about the majority who are in favour? We know there is some emotional attachment to Jalan Silibin but do not magnify the issue."

Kasthuriraani said: "My father championed for freedom of speech and the press. There should be some decency in the news reports. Initially, there was positive response in the media to the proposal, but as time passed, negative remarks were made. Now, it has become the butt of jokes."

Nga said the family had not asked to honour Patto, but the state government wanted to recognise his service to the people and country.

"The state government will listen to public opinion and find the best way to honour him after consulting with Patto's family. A P. Patto Research Centre will be set up at the Perak DAP headquarters."

Kulasegaran said: "I will inform the state government of the family's views and let the state decide on the issue."