Sentosa Merlion Demolition Upsets Singaporeans, Tourists
Kyle John Antonio in News and Updates
Sep 24, 2019 • 1 min Read
The plan to demolish Sentosa Merlion upsets many Singaporeans and tourists who have nostalgic memories from Singapore’s most iconic structure.
The removal of the largest among the seven merlions will make way for Sentosa Sensoryscape, a pedestrian bridge that will link the north and south of the island.
The project, which aims to rebrand the whole area into a premier leisure and tourism destination, has a budget of $90 million and will begin by October 2019
“The redevelopment of the two islands forms an integral part of Singapore’s efforts to rejuvenate its leisure offerings and maintain its appeal,” the Singapore Tourism Board said in a statement
“Visitors may continue to visit the other six merlion statues located at Merlion Park, Mount Faber, Tourism Court, and Ang Mo Kio,” it added.
The details of the Sentosa-Brani Master Plan were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech last month and were revealed at a media briefing on Sentosa on Friday.
The plan has prompted a tourist guide to start a “Save Sentosa Merlion” petition at Change.org, and recommended that the Sentosa Merlion be incorporated as part of the Sentosa redevelopment or relocated to a new location, such as Pulau Brani.
