Prangin Road, George Town

Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong

Prangin Road took its name from the Prangin Canal which ran alongside it. The canal had its origin as a river in the swampy land on that part of town which was subsequently reclaimed and firmed up. For much of the 19th century, Prangin Road marks the edge of town, and was known locally as Sia Boey, or Town's End. Before motor vehicles become commonplace, the Prangin Canal was a vital artery in transporting produce to and from the local population at this part of town. Bullock carts were park along Prangin Road awaiting the sampans and perahus bringing goods inland. The wholesale market at Sia Boey was the result of the proximity of the canal.

By the mid 20th century, the canal had served its purpose and was by then nothing more than a ditch. In the 1980's, Prangin Road was renamed Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, after the physician who had his dispensary at the corner of Prangin Road and Carnarvon Street, whose son became the second Chief Minister of Penang, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. The Chong Eu Expressway starts at the junction of Prangin Road Ghaut.