The Merlion statue on Sentosa Island in Singapore has been dismantled.

Singapore has long been renowned as a must-visit tourist destination in Asia. This relatively small country boasts many unforgettable features, such as its modern neighborhoods and incredibly clean environment. However, if we were to talk about what makes this island nation most iconic, it would undoubtedly be the Merlion statue.

Singapore is called the "Lion City" because the lion is the national animal representing the country. The image of a creature with the head of a lion and the tail of a fish riding on a wave has become an iconic symbol not only for the people of Singapore but also for international tourists. The lion's head is a metaphor for the nation's development, while the fish tail serves as a reminder of its origins as a small fishing village.

Because of its symbolic significance, Merlion statues have been erected throughout Singapore, turning these locations into tourist attractions. The most famous and oldest is the statue located in Merlion Park, right on Marina Bay. However, the largest statue is located on Sentosa Island.

The Merlion statue here is known to be 37 meters tall, with 320 scales on its tail, 16,000 luminous lights attached around it, and a system that creates realistic smoke and roaring sounds. Built in 1996, the statue cost over $5.8 million and has become a very popular photo spot for tourists. However, the statue is now facing the risk of being demolished to make way for another project.

Specifically, One Faber Group, which owns the park where the statue stands, announced they will dismantle it to make way for the $65 million Sentosa Sentoryscape project. This is part of a plan to revitalize tourist destinations in southern Singapore, according to The Straits Times. The new project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, so the statue will be demolished sooner or later.

This sparked intense debate, not only among the locals but also among foreign tourists who had visited the area. Many argued that instead of destroying it, the statue should simply be moved to another location. Others agreed with its demolition, arguing that it wasn't as famous or as popular as the statue in Merlion Park.

Currently, One Faber Group has not made any further announcements regarding whether or not the structure will be demolished. However, to encourage people to remember the building, the group has offered a discounted entrance fee, reducing it to half the normal price, but this is only for local residents.

Yuan Bao