Frankenstein's pet

What were the committee (yes, a committee) who dreamed of this monstrosity thinking about? If they had wanted to suck up to the PM, I'm afraid his pathetic reply was, "Interesting".

Ya right. Interesting, meaning "hideous, but I cannot say that in public".

If I'm the lion, I'll kill myself.

Jan 24, 2005
A new Singapore icon roars to life
by Li Xueying

YOU'VE photographed the spurting Merlion, cheered the football-dribbling Lions, and gaped at the sleeping cats in the zoo.

Now, meet a new leonine species: the dancing Singapore Lion. The new national icon was born last night in Jurong East Stadium.

With 10,000 spectators looking on under a full moon, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong dotted the eyes of a lion head designed to symbolise the mythical creature discovered by Sang Nila Utama.

The Singapore Lion was launched by the Southwest Community Development Council and the Singapore National Wushu Federation.

In typical Lion City style, its birth was overseen by a committee. MP Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah GRC), who chaired the committee that conceptualised it, said the Singapore Lion may be used in Chingay or National Day Parades.

'We're also discussing with the Singapore Tourism Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs how we can maximise the use of the lion overseas,' he added.

Unlike traditional Chinese dance lions, this one has a streamlined pointed snout, bared fangs, and five stars and a crescent on its forehead.

It prances to music featuring sounds from Chinese and Indian drums as well as the Malay kompang, and moves with the graceful steps of Malay dance and the stomping of Indian dance.

A smiling PM Lee, clad in a traditional Chinese shirt, called it an 'interesting icon'.

He told reporters in Mandarin that lion dances may have their roots in Chinese culture, but Malay and Indian Singaporeans have come to view them as part of their cultural background too.

'This Singapore lion has unique characteristics... The music has Chinese, Malay and Indian drums... therefore it's representative of our multiracial society. So I hope Singaporeans can identify with it, and that it can deepen our ties.'

But does Singapore need yet another icon?

CDC Mayor Amy Khor said: 'Singapore is the Lion City, so it's fine to have more than one lion, to help create a rich tapestry of different experiences.'

Audience reactions were mixed. Student Desmond Koh, 19, thought the lion looked 'effeminate'.

But construction worker Koo Ngee Meng, 47, was hopeful. 'Having a new icon may be good for the economy,' he said in Mandarin.