Singapore is a world-class destination for tourists. Its malls, attractions, clean and orderly state is one of the magnets that attract tourists all over the world into Singapore.
So it must come as a shock to everyone that the Singapore government decided to demolish the Merlion to make way for development!
But it’s not THIS Merlion…Thank God!
The Merlion that they are going to demolish is in fact the Merlion that is located in Sentosa island, which is also the largest Merlion in Singapore at 37 meters tall (fun facts: there are 7 Merlions in Singapore). The Merlion at Sentosa will be demolished on 20th October to make way for the Sentosa-Brani walkway.
Many Singaporeans have reacted to the news in a mixed way. Most were critical of the plan of building it over a tourist spot that brings money to the economy, while others said that it was symptomatic of Singapore’s tradition of demolishing traditional, old buildings to make something modern out of it.
Heck, a petition was even started asking the government to stop the demolition!
Nevertheless, the public has took it to social media to voice their concerns and here are the compilation to their reactions:
So sad 😭 bye2 Sentosa Merlion
— Bigsnorlax (@Bigsnorlax1985) September 20, 2019
But it’s been protecting us from dissident foreign influences with its green laser eyes every night for so long…. Oh no!
— Kelvin T (@cheanliang) September 20, 2019
Destructing a beloved icon of our country without replacing it should be a crime.
— Harsh (@ALazyEarthling) September 20, 2019
YO WHAT?? SENTOSA’S MERLION WILL BE GONE???? pic.twitter.com/uuSY0sLSi9
— SGAG (@SGAG_SG) September 20, 2019
wHY THE MERLION THAT WAS SUCH A COOL THING WHEN I WENT THERE AS A SIX YEAR OLD https://t.co/8k5ugQogLQ
— sagi🍞 (@toastzuka) September 21, 2019
knowing the singapore’s sentosa ‘merlion’ demolishment gives me and my siblings a sudden heart pain ☹️💔
— T O T O Y S H A N (@DAshantiMaeC) September 24, 2019
It’s time to say a sad goodbye to Sentosa’s iconic Merlion statue 💔
Tallest of all the 7 Merlions in Singapore to be demolished after October 20 2019 😢
📷 circa 2016 #EndOfTheWorldCouple pic.twitter.com/UENnZfS28A
— Around D World (@dawnanddesmedt) September 25, 2019
Anticipating vacation pictures of people with Sentosa Merlion to flood Facebook newsfeed. 😜 pic.twitter.com/sM4oQBHpDB
— Lu Carm (@CarmiLu68) September 24, 2019
So sad to know that the Merlion at Sentosa is getting demolish to make way for a new themed link bridge. The Merlion is Singapore’s iconic figures, a symbol of myth and should stay! #SaveTheMerlion
— Kiki Evans. (@TheKikiEvans) September 22, 2019
wtf why are they going to destroy the giant merlion in sentosa its so iconic
— egg 😎 (@sadkimbap) September 20, 2019
What do you think of the demolition? Do you think it’s worth to tear down iconic landmarks for the sake of development and progress? Let us know in the comments!
Header image source: CGTN | Wikipedia